A potential role of alkaloid extracts from Salsola species (Chenopodiaceae) in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem. 2009 Jun;24(3):818-24. doi: 10.1080/14756360802399662.

Abstract

From the aerial parts of Salsola oppositofolia, S. soda and S. tragus an alkaloid extract was obtained and tested to evaluate antioxidant and anti-cholinesterase activities. The in vitro study of the antioxidant activity by the DPPH method revealed a significant activity of Salsola alkaloid extracts with IC(50) values ranging from 16.30 microg/mL for S. oppositifolia to 26.17 microg/mL for S. tragus. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activities were evaluated. S. tragus alkaloid extract exerted the highest inhibitory activity against AChE (IC(50) of 30.2 microg/mL) and BChE (IC(50) of 26.5 microg/mL). Interestingly, S. soda and S. oppositifolia exhibited a selective inhibitory activity against BChE with IC(50) values of 34.3 microg/mL and 32.7 microg/mL, respectively. Tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids were identified and quantified by GC/MS analysis.

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholinesterase / metabolism
  • Alkaloids / isolation & purification
  • Alkaloids / pharmacology
  • Alkaloids / therapeutic use*
  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy*
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Antioxidants / isolation & purification
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use*
  • Biphenyl Compounds / metabolism
  • Butyrylcholinesterase / metabolism
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / chemistry*
  • Free Radical Scavengers / metabolism
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Phytotherapy
  • Picrates / metabolism
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*
  • Salsola / chemistry*

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • Antioxidants
  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Picrates
  • Plant Extracts
  • 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl
  • Acetylcholinesterase
  • Butyrylcholinesterase