Poinsettia

Generic name: Euphorbia Pulcherrima Willd. Ex Klotzsch
Brand names: Christmas Flower, Christmas Star, Easter Flower, Lobster Flower Plant, Mexican Flame Leaf, Noch Buena, Papagallo, Poinsettia, Star Of Bethlehem

Usage of Poinsettia

Alzheimer disease

In vitro data

Anti-Alzheimer activity has been demonstrated in vitro.(Yu 2020)

Antiviral activity

In vitro data

Crude E. pulcherrima extract exhibited some antiviral activity in vitro; however, further fractionation resulted in loss of effect.(Forero 2008)

CNS effects

Animal data

Effects of dried poinsettia latex on the CNS, including antinociceptive, anticonvulsant, motor coordination, sedative-hypnotic potentiation, and antianxiety effects, were evaluated in rodents. Only anticonvulsant effects were observed.(Singh 2012)

Molluscicidal activity

Animal data

Molluscicidal activity against freshwater snails has been demonstrated with aqueous poinsettia latex extract.(Singh 2005)

Osteoclast inhibitory effects

In vitro data

Isolates from aerial parts of E. pulcherrima were evaluated for effects on osteoclastogenesis. Some compounds showed in vitro concentration-dependent inhibition of osteoclastogenesis in bone marrow macrophage cells.(Dai 2019)

Poinsettia side effects

Reports of contact dermatitis(D'Arcy 1974, Massmanian 1998) and allergy with rhinitis and asthma exist,(Ibáñez 2004) especially in atopic individuals.(Aydin 2014, Evens 2012)

Before taking Poinsettia

Avoid use. Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking. Traditional use as a galactogenic agent has not been clinically supported.(Winek 1978)

How to use Poinsettia

No clinical evidence exists to support specific poinsettia dosing recommendations in a therapeutic context.

Warnings

Although many published reports include warnings regarding toxicity of the poinsettia plant, there is little clinical evidence to support toxicity claims.(Evens 2012, Winek 1978) The apparent source of these reports is a single, poorly documented 1919 case in which a 2-year-old child in Hawaii died after ingesting poinsettia leaves.(Evens 2012, Krenzelok 1996, Winek 1978)

Due to the bright color of the foliage, ingestion by children is common; however, there are very few poison center reports of adverse effects.(Evens 2012, Krenzelok 1996)

Supportive therapy is recommended; lavage or induction of vomiting is not necessary.(Krenzelok 1996)

Reports of toxicity (increased salivation, vomiting, and, rarely, diarrhea) in domestic cats, thought to be due to diterpenoid esters, have been published.(Botha 2009, Cortinovis 2013)

Diterpenes found in other Euphorbia spp. and responsible for GI upset are not found in E. pulcherrima.(Evens 2012) Toxicity studies in rodents showed no evidence of toxicity, even following instillation of the plant's latex into the eyes.(Evens 2012, Runyon 1980, Stone 1971)

Minor skin irritation has been observed in rabbits after repeated exposure.(D'Arcy 1974, Evens 2012)

What other drugs will affect Poinsettia

None well documented.

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