ACID PHOSPHATASE FROM SCORPION VENOM: CHARACTERIZATION AND INHIBITION BY Boswellia Dalzielii AND Bauhinia Rufescens METHANOLIC EXTRACTS
H. Zanna, Y. Tijani, C. Chidiebere and A. Daniel
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science
University of Maiduguri P.M.B. 1069, Maiduguri, Nigeria.
E-mail : zannahassan@yahoo.co.uk
ABSTRACT
Partial characterization of Opisthacanthus capensis venom acid phosphatase and inhibitory effects of methanolic extracts of Boswellia dalzielii and bauhinia rufescens on the venom enzyme were reported. Acid phosphatase from O. capensis venom had pH and temperature optima of 6 and 30°C respectively with an activation energy of 0.13 J/mol. The O. capensis venom acid phosphatase also displayed Km, Vmax and Kcat of 0.29 mg/ml, 0.0286 µmol/min and 0.10 min-1 respectively. Different concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg/ml) of the methanolic extracts of stem and root barks of B. dalzielii and B. rufescens inhibited O. capensis acid phosphatase activity respectively with the extracts from the both plants displaying a mixed non-competitive inhibition pattern and a decrease in the computed index of efficiency (Kcat). This study provides some scientific basis for the use of these plants by the herbalists in the management of poisonous scorpion bites.