The research review on chemical compositions of Euphorbiae Semen was reviewed to provide a reference for its further research and development. Related literature in CNKI Database

VIP Database and Pubmed Database from 1960 to 2015 were searched

and the research conditions of Euphorbiae Semen were summarized according to its chemical compositions

pharmacological effects

toxicity

development and utilization. In terms of chemical compositions

Euphorbiae Semen mainly had diterpenoids

sterols

coumarins

flavonoids

volatile oil

fatty oil and other chemical components. It was reported that the main pharmacological activities of Euphorbiae Semen were anti-tumor

anti-pulmonary fibrosis and promoting intestinal peristalsis. The toxicity of Euphorbiae Semen was strong

and lathyrol and other fat-soluble components may be its toxic components

because its toxicity was significantly reduced by removing oil from Euphorbiae Semen. In the aspect of development and utilization of Euphorbiae Semen

its compound preparations were used to treat leukemia

hepatitis

liver cirrhosis and other diseases in China

and its chemical composition named euphorbia factor L5 had a significant anti-cancer effect. In foreign countries

the ingenol-20-palmitate

sucrose 2'

3

4

6

6'-pentaisovalerate and euphobia factor L1

which were extracted from Euphorbiae Semen

have been applied for patent of skin whitening. The research results showed that Euphorbiae Semen was a promising medicine

with abundant chemical components and significant pharmacological effects. However

because of its toxicity and unclear mechanism of toxicity

the development and utilization of Euphorbiae Semen has been limited seriously. Therefore

it is necessary to strengthen the study on its toxic components

action site of toxic components and toxic mechanism.