DESCRIPTION: The latex is extracted by slitting the plant stem. It is milky white and readily soluble. Lethal dosage for snail vectors of schistosomiasis has already been studied in laboratory bioassays. Some toxicological studies have been done for other animals inhabiting breeding areas, as well as for human beings. Tests have been done in natural breeding ponds, demonstrating efficacy in the field. Three of the eight active ingredients (ingenols) in the latex have already been proven noncarcinogenic, and one of the ingredients is 100 times more active than the synthetic product currently used as a molluscicide (niclosamide).
MAIN ADVANTAGES: Easily extracted, stable plant product. Cosmopolitan, ornamental plant, used widely as a protective hedge, easily replantable using scions. High yield, since the area planted with it does not harm the environment and there is no absorption by phytoplanktons or zooplanktons.
MAIN APPLICATIONS: Schistosomiasis control (specific control of breeding areas for intermediate snail hosts of Schistosoma mansoni).
STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT: Lethal doses defined, toxicological tests negative to date; fractions of active ingredient identified; field tests have shown high specificity, with 100% mortality at low concentrations (12 mg/l). Prospects for production using laboratory biotechnology with transgenic scions, with capacity for large-scale production of latex.
PERSONS IN CHARGE: Virginia Torres Schall and Mauricio Vasconcellos
UNIT/DEPARTMENT/DIVISION: Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Biology Department