Toxicity of the Latex of Euphorbiales. Effect on Acid and Alkaline Phosphatases of the SnailLymnaea acuminata

The latex of four plants belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae viz. Jatropha gossypifolia, Euphorbia royleana, Euphorbia antisyphlitica and Euphorbia lactea cristata caused significant reductions in the acid and alkaline phosphatase activity in nervous tissue of the snail Lymnaea acuminata. The reduction in the activity of both the phosphatases was time and dose dependent; the order of effectiveness was as follows: Euphorbia lactea cristata > Euphorbia antisyphlitica > Euphorbia royleana > Jatropha gossypifolia. It has been suggested that the inhibition of these enzymes might be through activation of Protein Kinase C.