Enzyme inhibition by the molluscicidal agent Punica granatum Linn. bark and Canna indica Linn. root.

Abstract

Sublethal in vivo 24 h exposure to (40% and 80% of 24 h LC(50)) active fractions of Punica granatum bark or Canna indica root or in combination with other plant-derived molluscicides significantly inhibited the activity of acetylcholinesterase, acid/alkaline phosphatase, Na(+)K(+)ATPase and lactic dehydrogenase in the nervous tissue of Lymnaea acuminata. The inhibition kinetics of these enzymes indicates that active fractions of both the plants caused a competitive inhibition of AChE, LDH, ALP, ACP and Na(+)K(+)ATPase.