Saptala
Euphorbia dracunculoides Lam.
Saptala (Euphorbia dracunculoides Lam.) is a plant drug, from the Euphorbiaceae family. Not in WHO monographs; listed in Ayurvedic texts under Virechana (purgative) drug category; limited formal pharmacopeia recognition.
| Botanical name | Euphorbia dracunculoides Lam. |
|---|---|
| Family | Euphorbiaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Malpighiales |
| Pharmacopoeia status | Not in WHO monographs; listed in Ayurvedic texts under Virechana (purgative) drug category; limited formal pharmacopeia recognition |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 3070194 · Wikidata Q5851559 · NCBI Taxonomy 1008446 |
The evidence at a glance
10papers on this site for this drug, published 1967 to 2025, 9 with a DOI.
- 2Other clinical studies and reviews
- 8Laboratory and animal studies
A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Everything listed here is laboratory or animal work, which does not show an effect in people. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Saptala |
| Latin/Botanical | Euphorbia dracunculoides Lam. |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Ingenol esters
- Dracunculins (unique compounds)
- Flavonoid glycosides
- Tannins and coumarins
- Terpenoids and sterols
- Latex compounds (diterpene esters)
How does it work?
- Anti-inflammatory activity through COX-2 inhibition by ingenol derivatives and flavonoid-mediated reduction of inflammation mediators
- Antioxidant mechanism via flavonoid glycoside-mediated scavenging of reactive oxygen species and hydroxyl radicals
- Analgesic effect through both peripheral (prostaglandin inhibition) and central (opioid pathway modulation) mechanisms
- Purgative action through irritant diterpene ester stimulation of intestinal smooth muscle
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.
- Purgative (Virechana): traditionally used as a purgative. Studies have reported stimulant laxative action of diterpene esters on intestinal smooth muscle.
- Skin diseases (Kushtha): traditionally used for psoriasis, ringworm, and warts. Studies have reported antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity.
- Anti-rheumatic (Amavata): traditionally used for Amavata. Animal studies have reported anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity.
- Diuretic (Mutrala): traditionally used as a diuretic, as described in Ayurvedic texts.
What do recent studies show?
- Majid M, Khan MR, Shah NA and others 2015. Studies on phytochemical, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Euphorbia dracunculoides. BMC complementary and alternative medicine. PMID 26445953 · doi:10.1186/s12906-015-0868-0
Demonstrated significant antioxidant activity against hydroxyl and phosphomolybdate radicals; strong anti-inflammatory activity reducing carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats; confirmed analgesic properties. - Amtaghri S, Akdad M, Slaoui M and others 2022. Traditional Uses, Pharmacological, and Phytochemical Studies of Euphorbia: A Review. Current topics in medicinal chemistry. PMID 35838213 · doi:10.2174/1568026622666220713143436
Comprehensive genus-level review documenting diverse pharmacological activities of Euphorbia species including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties with focus on ingenol and diterpene esters. - Kgosiemang IKR, Lefojane R, Adegoke AM and others 2025. Pharmacological Significance, Medicinal Use, and Toxicity of Extracted and Isolated Compounds from Euphorbia Species Found in Southern Africa: A Review. Plants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 39943031 · doi:10.3390/plants14030469
Reviewed toxicity and pharmacological significance of Euphorbia-derived compounds; emphasized need for careful dosing due to irritant latex and diterpene ester toxicity potential.
Recent safety updates
- Latex is irritant and can cause severe skin and mucosal irritation; internal use requires careful dose calibration; traditionally classified as a purgative (Virechana dravya) requiring practitioner supervision
- Formal large-scale toxicological studies lacking; debate persists among pharmacologists about safety profile for internal use; ingenol esters may promote tumor growth at certain doses (tumor promoter concern in Euphorbia genus)
What is it made of?
Key Active Markers
- Glycosides
- Tannins
- Coumarins
- Terpenoids
- Sterols
- Ingenol esters
- Dracunculins
- Flavonoid glycosides
- Latex compounds
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kwatha (decoction), Vati (tablet), Capsule
Standard Dosage: 1-3 g churna per day; 30-50 mL kwatha twice daily. Start at low dose and titrate upward due to purgative activity.
Optimal Timing: Early morning on empty stomach for purgative action; take with warm water
Storage: Store below 25 deg C in airtight containers, protected from moisture and light. RH <55%.
Marker Compounds: Not established.
Synergistic Combinations
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Other clinical studies and reviews2
- 2025. Pharmacological Significance, Medicinal Use, and Toxicity of Extracted and Isolated Compounds from Euphorbia Species Found in Southern Africa: A ReviewPlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 39943031 · doi:10.3390/plants14030469
- 2022. Traditional Uses, Pharmacological, and Phytochemical Studies of Euphorbia: A ReviewCurrent topics in medicinal chemistry. PMID 35838213 · doi:10.2174/1568026622666220713143436
Laboratory and animal studies8
- 2017. Euphorbia dracunculoides L. abrogates carbon tetrachloride induced liver and DNA damage in ratsBMC complementary and alternative medicine. PMID 28427398 · doi:10.1186/s12906-017-1744-x
- 2017. Natural and Semisynthetic Tigliane Diterpenoids with New Carbon Skeletons from Euphorbia dracunculoides as a Wnt Signaling Pathway InhibitorOrganic letters. PMID 28703597 · doi:10.1021/acs.orglett.7b01813
- 2016. A new tigliane-type diterpene from Euphorbia dracunculoides LamNatural product research. PMID 26729599 · doi:10.1080/14786419.2015.1129334
- 2015. Studies on phytochemical, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Euphorbia dracunculoidesBMC complementary and alternative medicine. PMID 26445953 · doi:10.1186/s12906-015-0868-0
- 2015. A new myrsinol-type diterpene polyester from Euphorbia dracunculoides LamNatural product research. PMID 25605432 · doi:10.1080/14786419.2014.1002089
- 2012. Identity and pharmacognosy of Ruta graveolens LinnAncient science of life. PMID 23929988 · doi:10.4103/0257-7941.113792
- 2011. Molecular authentication of the medicinal herb Ruta graveolens (Rutaceae) and an adulterant using nuclear and chloroplast DNA markersGenetics and molecular research : GMR. PMID 22095605 · doi:10.4238/2011.November.10.3
- 1967. Preliminary phytochemical and pharmacological studies on Euphorbia dracunculoides, LamThe Indian journal of medical research. PMID 6036055
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.
Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.