Toxicity to the snailLimnaea acuminata of plant-derived molluscicides in combination with synergists

Abstract

The effects of combinations of plant-derived molluscicides with piperonyl butoxide (PB) or ENT 8184 (MGK-264) were studied on different enzyme activities and biogenic amine levels in the nervous tissue of Limnaea acuminata. 24-h in vivo exposure of the nervous tissue of L acuminata to 40% and 80% of the 24-h LC50 of the plant-derived molluscicides Azadirachta indica oil, Allium sativum powder and oleoresin of Zingiber officinale rhizome and their active molluscicidal components azadirachtin, allicin and [6]-gingerol, alone or in combination (1 + 5) with PB or ENT 8184, caused a significant reduction in the activity of acetylcholinesterase, lactic dehydrogenase, acid and alkaline phosphatases and sodium-potassium ATPase. There was a significant increase in the activity of succinic dehydrogenase. In vivo exposure for 24 h to sub-lethal concentrations of azadirachtin, allicin and [6]-gingerol, singly and with PB or ENT 8184, significantly altered the dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine levels in the nervous tissue of L acuminata. It is concluded that these active moieties singly or with PB or ENT 8184 adversely affect all known neurotransmission mechanisms in the snail, either separately or through a complex interaction between the different neurotransmitters. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry