[Molluscicidal properties of the Euphorbia cotinifolia L (author's transl)].

The hexanic extract from the leaves of Euphorbia cotinifolia L. has been experimentally used as molluscicide against Biomphalaria glabrata. The extract was fractionated and the most actives fractions were those of numbers 6 and 7. The lethal concentrations (LC50 and LC90 obtained using fraction 6 against adult snails were 1,2 and 2,4 ppm; for the eggs they were 25,0 and 48,0 ppm. With fraction 7 the lethal concentrations were 1,4 and 3,4 ppm for adult snails; for newly hatched snails they were 4,8 and 8,0 ppm; for the eggs they were 13,0 and 31,0 ppm. In the field the hexanic extract was lethal for the snails in concentrations of 20 ppm in stagnant water. Fractions 6 and 7 were lethal for S. mansoni cercariae and to fish (Lebistes reticulatus) in concentrations below 10 ppm. For mice the extract did not display any toxity in concentrations of 600 mg/kg.