Latex of "Coroa de Cristo" (Euphorbia Splendens): an effective molluscicide

Abstract

An aqueous solution of the latex of "coroa de cristo" (Euphorbia splendens var. hislopii) showed molluscicide action (LD90) at a concentration lower than 0.5 ppm on Biomphalaria glabrata and B. tenagophila reared in laboratory and at a concentration lower than 4.0 ppm for field B. tenagophila.

Physiological changes in Biomphalaria glabrata say, 1818 (Pulmonata: Planorbidae) caused by sub-lethal concentrations of the latex of Euphorbia splendens var. hislopii N.E.B (Euphorbiaceae)

“…Jurberg et al (1989) (Mendes et al 1984). Of these, E. splendens stands out for its molluscidal activity in doses under 0.5 mg/l, eight times smaller than the lethal dose for fish (Vasconcellos & Schall 1986).…”

“…The following species have been studied: Anacardium occidendale (Pereira & Souza 1974), Euphorbia pulcherrima, Euphorbia splendens, Caesalpinia peltophoroides, and Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mendes et al 1984). Of these, E. splendens stands out for its molluscidal activity in doses under 0.5 mg/l, eight times smaller than the lethal dose for fish (Vasconcellos & Schall 1986).…”

“…Jurberg et al (1989) (Mendes et al 1984). Of these, E. splendens stands out for its molluscidal activity in doses under 0.5 mg/l, eight times smaller than the lethal dose for fish (Vasconcellos & Schall 1986).Some questions have arisen in the selection of plant molluscides, such as: toxicity, availability, annual growth, adaptability to different local conditions, and location of molluscidal activity in parts of the plant that easily regenerate, such as the leaves. To be eligible for use, a product must be storable and remain viable for at least one year; be physically and chemically stable; have ethnobotanical value; and be easy to extract and apply, preferably in aqueous extracts (Kloos & McCullough 1982).…”

Tumor promoting diterpenes from Euphorbia leuconeura L.

“…Some of the milliamines possess high molluscicidal activity, and the latex of E. milii ®nds practical application Phytochemistry 51 (1999) 289±295 0031-9422/99/$ -see front matter # 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. PII: S 0 0 3 1 -9 4 2 2 ( 9 9 ) 0 0 0 1 6 -3 as a molluscicide against schistosomiasis-transmitting aquatic snails of the genus Biomphalaria (De Vasconcellos & Schall, 1986). Several tested milliamines had no tumor promoting activity in animal experiments, although the activation of protein kinase C was comparable to that of TPA (Marston & Hecker, 1984a, 1984bZani et al, 1993).…”

Molluscicidal action of the latex of Euphorbia splendens var. hislopii N.E.B. ("Christ's Crown") (Euphorbiaceae) against Lymnaea columella (Say, 1817) (Pulmonata: Lymnaeidae), intermediate host of Fasciola hepatica Linnaeus, 1758 (Trematode: Fasciolidae): 1- test in laboratory

“…In the control group, low mortality was observed as of the 6th day from the beginning of the test up to 26th day; While studying this plant's latex action against the intermediate host species of Schistosoma mansoni, Vasconcellos and Schall (1986) verified that the LC 90 remained between 1.07 and 4.04 mg/l, for snails derived from the field and, more recently, for intermediate host snails of Schistosoma haematobium, Bilharz, 1852, Schall et al (1998 scribed by Schall et al (1992) that showed seasonal stability when they tested the latex with Biomphalaria tenagophila, in the four seasons of the year and with plants of different geographical regions of Brazil. In spite of these observed variations, the high LC 90 found (1.51 mg/l is spring) is lower than the value established by the World Health Organization (WHO 1965), to a plant which presents an active aqueous extract recommending that it has to kill 90% of the snails exposed for 24 h at a concentration less than 20 mg/l (Mott 1987).…”