Utilization of Euphorbia hirta L. for traditional medicine and its bioactivity

Euphorbia hirta is a species belonging Euphorbiaceae has been long used by humans as traditional medicine. The plants used as traditional medicine is related to secondary metabolites and its bioactivity. This study aims to explain the utilization and bioactivity of E. hirta. The methods to writing articles is based on a review of articles or research results published online, especially on google scholar, using the keywords Euphorbia hirta, uses of E. hirta and bioactivity of E. hirta then synthesized so that explain the benefits and its bioactivity. Euphorbia hirta is a weed, so that is easily found in the environment which is characterized by the presence of white sap and has cyathia inflorescence. In the traditional medicine E. hirta is used to treat ulcers, dysentery, gastrointestinal infections, skin infections, diabetes mellitus and respiratory disorders are diseases caused by microbial infections. Bioactivity of E. hirta is antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-diabetes mellitus, anti-stress, anti-cancer and anti-kidney stones. The E. hirta extract contains dedquercetrin, dimethoxyquercetrin, hirta coumaroflavonoside, and hirta flavonoside-B which bioctivity to inhibit α-glucosidase activity comparable to acarbose so that it is potential to be developed as anti-diabetes mellitus.