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. (6th November 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bonesi, Marco; Loizzo, Monica R.; Conforti, Filomena; Passalacqua, Nicodemo G.; Saab, Antoine; Menichini, Federica; Tundis, Rosa
• Is Part Of: Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology. Volume 65:Number 12(2013:Dec.)
• Page Start: 1726
• Page End: 1735
• Publication Date: 2013-11-06
• Subjects: Pharmacy -- Periodicals; Pharmacology -- Periodicals; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1111/jphp.12172
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3573

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="jphp12172-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p>This study involves for the first time the evaluation of <italic>Berberis aetnensis</italic> C. Presl. and <italic>Berberis libanotica</italic> Ehrenb. ex C.K. Schneid. roots for anticholinesterase and antioxidant properties, with the aim to search compounds possibly useful for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD).</p> </sec> <sec id="jphp12172-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Samples were evaluated for their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). The antioxidant activity was assayed by 2, 2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical and β‐carotene bleaching tests. Berberine and palmatine were isolated by flash chromatography and identified by spectrometric methods as main constituents. Non‐polar compounds were analysed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry.</p> </sec> <sec id="jphp12172-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Key findings</title> <p>Extracts, fractions and isolated compounds inhibited AChE and BChE to varying degrees. The methanol fractions exhibited the strongest AChE inhibitory activity with inhibitory concentration 50% (IC<sub>50</sub>) of 7.6 and 16.9 μg/ml for <italic>B. aetnensis</italic> and <italic>B. libanotica</italic>, respectively. The alkaloid fraction of <italic>B. aetnensis</italic> inhibited AChE (IC<sub>50</sub> of 24.5 μg/ml) and possessed the highest antioxidant activity (IC<sub>50</sub> value of 2.2 μg/ml in β‐carotene‐bleaching test after 30 min of incubation). Berberine was more potent of palmatine against AChE (IC<sub>50</sub> of 2.2 and 7.4 μg/ml, respectively).</p> </sec> <sec id="jphp12172-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>These findings raise the possibility of developing <italic>B. aetnensis</italic> and <italic>B. libanotica</italic> as a promising candidate for the treatment of AD.</p> </sec> </abstract>