Abstract
Ginkgolic acids (GAs) from the leaves and sarcotesta of Ginkgo biloba L. represent a new kind of molluscicide agent. To date, the mechanism(s) for the observed molluscicidal activity remains largely unknown. Since GA-C13:0 has effectively inhibited snail mobility, we examined the effects of the compound on mitochondrial function and gene expression as compared to niclosamide. Snail mitochondrial damage induced by GAs was tested using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and gene-expression profiling of five mitochondrial enzymes using real-time PCR. GA-C13:0 was found to have a pronounced effect on snail mitochondria with gross ultrastructural changes. In addition, GA-C13:0 was also found to inhibit the gene expression of four mitochondrial enzymes including cytochrome c oxidase, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase, cytochrome b and dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) dehydrogenase. In contrast, niclosamide did not show such effects on mitochondrial function and gene expression, suggesting that the molluscicidal activity of GA-C13:0 and niclosamide differed. Our results imply that snail mitochondria are a potential target for the molluscicidal activity of ginkgolic acids.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
