The chemical constituents and economic plants of the Euphorbiaceae

Abstract

A chemical review of the different classes of compounds which have been isolated from the Euphorbiaceae (other than the diterpenoids) is given. This includes triterpenoids and related compounds (sterols, alcohols and hydrocarbons), phenolic compounds (flavonoids, lignans, coumarins, tannins, phenanthrenes, quinones, phenolic acids, etc.), alkaloids, cyanogenic glucosides and glucosinolates. A summary of the industrial and medicinal uses of members of the Euphorbiaceae is provided.