Abstract
Author(s): Sanjay Jagtap, Rajendra Satpute
Euphorbia fusiformis(Synonym: Euphorbia acaulis)is a rare medicinal herb belonging to family
Euphorbiaceae. Due to indiscriminate collection from naturalhabitat it has become
endangered.The dried root powder and the fresh rhizome are used to increase the secretion of
the mother’s milk, while the tuber latex is applied to heal chronic wounds, skin diseases, liver
disorders and diarrhoea. In the present study, phytochemical, antimicrobial and antioxidant
activityof the tuber extracts of Euphorbia fusiformis were evaluated. Phytochemical screening
indicated thattubers are rich in a variety of primary and secondary metabolites such as
carbohydrates, alkaloids, vitamin C, vitamin E, flavonoids, phenols, glycosides, saponins and
minerals. Present investigation showsDPPH anti-scavenging activity in organic extracts such as
methanol (56.47%), chloroform (10.23%), acetone (16.51%) and water (76.92%). The
antimicrobial activity of tuber extracts against clinically isolated microbes like Staphylococcus
aureus, Pseudomonas aeuroginosa, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Aspergillusniger. The
study highlights the phytochemical and ethno-pharmacological significanceof Euphorbia
fusiformis.