In vitro screening for Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition and Antioxidant activity of selected Medicinal Plants

Abstract

In the present study, four plant extracts (Allium sativum L., Desmodium gangeticum L., Eclipta alba L., and Piper longum L.) were considered and checked for their acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity which is the main true enzyme which hydrolyses acetylcholine in the body. The dried coarse powder of plants was extracted with methanol by cold extraction method. The resultant was assessed for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity by Ellman’s method with few modifications. The antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and FRAP (Ferrous reducing Antioxidant power) assays. Quantitative phytochemical (phenolic contents) analysis of endogenous substances was performed by standard spectrophotometric methods. Plant extract significantly inhibited AChE activity. Additionally, the plant extracts exhibited strong radical scavenging activity against DPPH and reduced the Ferric ion (FRAP) significantly when compared to that of standards. Plant extracts were found to be rich in phenolic (gallic acid equivalent/g of dry extract) content. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between the total phenolics and antioxidants as well as the anticholinesterase potential.