@article {1009, title = {Chemical and Biological Evaluation of the Aqueous Extract of Peumus boldus Molina (Monimiaceae) Leaves}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {14}, year = {2022}, month = {December 2021}, pages = {45-52}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {45}, abstract = {

Background: Traditional medicine has inspired the scientific community to discover natural compounds with the ability to inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and with significant antioxidant capacity. These themes are associated with therapeutic processes to decrease the symptoms of Alzheimer{\textquoteright}s disease (AD). Acetylcholine (Ach) is an important neurotransmitter in the central nervous system responsible for transmitting the nervous impulse and increasing intestinal motility and dilation of sphincters in the gastrointestinal tract. As the species Peumus boldus Molina is widely known and used in folk medicine to treat gastrointestinal discomfort, its constituents could have an affinity for AChE and could be used to treat AD. Materials and Methods: This study evaluated the chemical, inhibitory activity of AChE (using the Elmann method and in silico), antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and oxidation inhibition of the β-carotene/linoleic acid system), and quantification of total leaf phenols from a commercial sample of P. boldus. Results: The mass spectral analysis allowed identification of the alkaloids isoboldine, boldine, clocaurine, laurotetanine, N-methylurotetanine, reticuline, and N-methylcoclaurine. In the in silico prediction test, the alkaloid N-metillaurotetanine was the best acetylcholinesterase enzyme inhibitor, with energy of -10.1 kcal mol-1. Conclusion: These results are of scientific relevance for the discovery of new drugs to treat dementia associated with Alzheimer{\textquoteright}s disease and stimulate the continuity of chemical and biological studies (anticholinesterase and antioxidant action) of prepurified fractions and substances isolated from P. boldus leaves.

}, keywords = {Acetylcholine, Acetylcholinesterase, Alzheimer., Antioxidant activity, Boldo}, doi = {10.5530/pres.14.1.8}, url = {https://phcogres.com/fulltext/v14i1/105530pres1418.html}, author = {Bruna Yuka Koide da Silva and Aniele da Silva Neves Lopes and Paulo Jos{\'e} Sousa Maia and Josiana Moreira Mar and Laiane Souza da Silva and Edgar Aparecido Sanches and Geone Maia Corr{\^e}a and Jaqueline de Ara{\'u}jo Bezerra and Dominique Fernandes de Moura do Carmo} } @article {887, title = {Acetylcholine and Memory-Enhancing Activity of Ficus racemosa Bark}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {3}, year = {2014}, month = {November,2011}, pages = {246-249}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {246}, abstract = {

Background: Alzheimer{\textquoteright}s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder resulting in dementia and enhancement of acetylcholine (Ach) levels in brain using acetylcholinesterase inhibitors is one of the most important approaches for the treatment of AD. Methods: In this study, aqueous extract of Ficus racemosa Linn. (Moraceae) bark having anti-infl ammatory, antioxidant, and anticholinesterase activity was evaluated for its ability to enhance Ach levels, and to ascertain its antidementia activity in rats. This work was carried out under the assumption that the F. racemosa extract may show combination of actions which could be beneficial in the treatment of AD, such as neuroprotection, attributed to antioxidant and anti-infl ammatory property and may elevate levels of Ach like Ficus hispida extract reported earlier. Results: Administration of the extract at two levels viz., 250 and 500 mg/kg signifi cantly raised (P <= 0.05) Ach levels in hippocampi of rats compared to control. The percentage enhancement in Ach levels was found to be 22\% and 38\%, respectively. Further, the extract at both dosage levels elicited signifi cant reduction (P <= 0.05) in transfer latency on elevated plus-maze, which was used as an exteroceptive behavioral model to evaluate memory in rats. Conclusion: It is inferred that it would be worthwhile to explore the potential of F. racemosa in the management of Alzheimer disease.

}, keywords = {Acetylcholine, Alzheimer disease, Memory, Plus-maze, Transfer latency}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.89744}, author = {Faiyaz Ahmed and J. N. Narendra Sharath Chandra and S. Manjunath} }