INHIBITION OF SUPEROXIDE-DISMUTASE FROM ASCARIS-SUUM BY BENZIMIDAZOLES AND SYNTHESIZED PYRIMIDINE AND GLYCINE DERIVATIVES

Copper-zinc superoxide dismutase was purified from Ascaris suum (Nemat oda). Four benzimidazole derivatives, six recently synthesized pyrimid ine derivatives and eleven recently synthesized glycine derivatives we re shown to inhibit: (1) purified extracts of A. suum superoxide dismu tase; (2) superoxide dismutase from host liver, and (3) purified extra cts of superoxide dismutase from living A. suum incubated in the prese nce of these drugs. Thiabendazole compounds, with a documented effect against helminth parasites, were found to affect the superoxide dismut ase, The inhibitory effects of some pyrimidine and glycine derivatives were higher than those of benzimidazoles, and the pyrimidine compound s failed to inhibit the host's enzyme. These derivatives are candidate anthelmintics, acting as inhibitors of certain metalloenzymes in para sites.