Toxicity of fresh poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) to Sprague-Dawley rats.

Fresh leaves and bracts of poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) were fed to 46 Sprague-Dawley rats. The animals were observed for 1 week for changes in weight or behavior. The animals were then sacrificed in ether and examined for changes in thyroid and adrenal weights. One group was also examined for damage to the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. No lesions or other signs of intestinal damage were observed. None of the groups showed any change in behavior or any significant change in body weight or adrenal weight. Only one group showed a significant increase in thyroid weight.