ABSTRACT
Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix is the dry root of plant Euphorbia fischeriana or E. ebracteolata of Euphorbiaceae, which is a widely utilized natural medicine with broad development prospect. It has been discovered that Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix contains several biologically active constituents, among which diterpenoids are the most important. The diterpenoids of Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix contain eight types including abietane-type, tigliane-type, pimarane-type, rosane-type, cembrane-type, ent-kaurane-type, ingenane-type and atisane-type. Diterpenoids of Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix have significant anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and other pharmacological activities. In this paper, the chemical constituents of diterpenoids and pharmacological activities of Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix in recent years were reviewed in order to provide references for better developing the resources of Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix and its clinical application.