Objectives This study involves for the first time the evaluation of Berberisaetnensis C. Presl. and Berberis libanotica Ehrenb. ex C.K. Schneid. roots foranticholinesterase and antioxidant properties, with the aim to search compoundspossibly useful for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).Methods Samples were evaluated for their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase(AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). The antioxidant activity was assayedby 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical and β-carotene bleaching tests. Berberineand palmatine were isolated by flash chromatography and identified by spectrometricmethods as main constituents. Non-polar compounds were analysed by gaschromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.Key findings Extracts, fractions and isolated compounds inhibited AChE andBChE to varying degrees. The methanol fractions exhibited the strongest AChEinhibitory activity with inhibitory concentration 50% (IC50) of 7.6 and 16.9 μg/mlfor B. aetnensis and B. libanotica, respectively. The alkaloid fraction of B. aetnensisinhibited AChE (IC50 of 24.5 μg/ml) and possessed the highest antioxidant activity(IC50 value of 2.2 μg/ml in β-carotene-bleaching test after 30 min of incubation).Berberine was more potent of palmatine against AChE (IC50 of 2.2 and 7.4 μg/ml,respectively).Conclusions These findings raise the possibility of developing B. aetnensis andB. libanotica as a promising candidate for the treatment of AD.
Berberis aetnensis and B. libanotica: a comparative study on the chemical composition, inhibitory effect on key enzymes linked to Alzheimer’s disease and antioxidant activity
Bonesi M;LOIZZO, Monica Rosa;CONFORTI, FILOMENA;Passalacqua NG;TUNDIS, ROSA
2013-01-01
Abstract
Objectives This study involves for the first time the evaluation of Berberisaetnensis C. Presl. and Berberis libanotica Ehrenb. ex C.K. Schneid. roots foranticholinesterase and antioxidant properties, with the aim to search compoundspossibly useful for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).Methods Samples were evaluated for their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase(AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). The antioxidant activity was assayedby 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical and β-carotene bleaching tests. Berberineand palmatine were isolated by flash chromatography and identified by spectrometricmethods as main constituents. Non-polar compounds were analysed by gaschromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.Key findings Extracts, fractions and isolated compounds inhibited AChE andBChE to varying degrees. The methanol fractions exhibited the strongest AChEinhibitory activity with inhibitory concentration 50% (IC50) of 7.6 and 16.9 μg/mlfor B. aetnensis and B. libanotica, respectively. The alkaloid fraction of B. aetnensisinhibited AChE (IC50 of 24.5 μg/ml) and possessed the highest antioxidant activity(IC50 value of 2.2 μg/ml in β-carotene-bleaching test after 30 min of incubation).Berberine was more potent of palmatine against AChE (IC50 of 2.2 and 7.4 μg/ml,respectively).Conclusions These findings raise the possibility of developing B. aetnensis andB. libanotica as a promising candidate for the treatment of AD.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
