Application of Euphorbia tirucalli sap in sarcoid treatment in horses - case report

ABSTRACT Sarcoid is the most common cutaneous neoplasm in horses, with no established therapy, due to the variable neoplastic manifestation and the oscillating individual response to therapies. The Euphorbia tirucalli plant, known as Aveloz, has terpenes and sterols in its latex with antitumor activity, being widely used in popular medicine. Eight horses were referred to the Veterinary Hospital diagnosed with sarcoid, and they were treated only with an aqueous solution containing Euphorbia tirucalli. The most common location of tumors was base of the ear and pectoral; seven of the eight animals had tumors in more than one region. The intratumoral injection containing the sap of Aveloz was applied until the tumor became turgent, visualizing blackening, dryness, and a detachment of the sarcoid in 24 to 72 hours. The use of Euphorbia tirucalli sap showed 87.5% efficacy in the treatment of sarcoids and adverse effects were observed in the seven animals in which the technique was effective. The treated horses were evaluated for three months to seven years, and none had tumor recurrences. The intralesional application of Euphorbia tirucalli sap has been proved to be effective, safe, and low-cost in the treatment of sarcoid in horses, being a viable alternative for this type of cutaneous neoplasm.

摘要：结节状肉瘤（sarcoid）是马最常见的皮肤肿瘤，由于其肿瘤表现具有多样性，且个体对治疗的反应存在波动，目前尚无公认的治疗方案。绿玉树（Euphorbia tirucalli，俗称Aveloz）的乳汁中含有具有抗肿瘤活性的萜类与甾醇类物质，在民间医学中应用广泛。本研究纳入8匹确诊为结节状肉瘤并转诊至兽医院的马，仅使用含有绿玉树的水溶液进行治疗。肿瘤最常见的发病部位为耳根与胸区；8匹受试马中有7匹存在多部位肿瘤。研究人员通过瘤内注射绿玉树汁液，直至肿瘤出现肿胀，在24至72小时内即可观察到肿瘤发黑、干燥并脱落。使用绿玉树汁液治疗马结节状肉瘤的有效率达87.5%，且在该疗法起效的7匹受试马中均观察到了不良反应。对接受治疗的马进行3个月至7年的随访后发现，所有受试马均未出现肿瘤复发。综上，瘤内施用绿玉树汁液被证实对马结节状肉瘤具有高效、安全且低成本的治疗效果，可作为此类皮肤肿瘤的可行治疗方案。