Pharmacological screening of acrid latex from the mangrove species,
Excoecaria agallocha L.

In vivo and in vitro evaluation of pharmacological properties of acrid latex from the mangrove plant E. agallocha were carried out in the green frog (Rana hexadactyla) and albino rat. Acrid latex of E. agallocha produced local anesthetic activity in frog at 1:500, 1:100, and 1:10 concentrations and cardiac depressant activity when tested in the frog’s heart. It was found to have a good effect on the ciliary muscle for the cholinergic action in the buccal cavity of frog (viz., lower the concentration the higher the potency). The acrid latex of E. agallocha produced partial purgative activity at concentrations 1:500 and 1:100. It was found to have central nervous system depressent action at 1:500 and 1:100 concentrations and at 1:10 concentration it produced total lethargy. It was also found to have relaxant property in the skeletal muscle and smooth muscle of frog and rat, respectively