Inhibitory effect of the Thai rejuvenating medicinal plant in acetylcholinesterase activity

Twenty-two ethanolic rejuvenating medicinal plant extracts were investigated for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity using Ellman's colorimetric method in 96-welled microplates. Results indicated that four sample; Stephania erecta 1 (tuber), Stephania venosa 2 (tuber), Tinospora crispa 3 (stem) and Kaempferia parviflora 4 (tuber) exhibited the strong potent AChE inhibitory activity. At 0.1mg/ml plant extracts, the percentage of inhibition values obtained for these extracts were 97.16, 93.36, 72.81 and 70.29, respectively. The results demonstrated that 4 is a plant with strong AChE inhibitory activity present in the traditional Thai remedies for rejuvenating purposes.

Acknowledgements: The authors thank the Office of Research and Academic Service, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Department of Biology and Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Naresuan University for grant support.

References: 1. Ingkaninan, K. Temkitthawon, P., Chuenchom, K., Yuyaem, T., Thongnoi, W. (2003). Screening for acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity in plants used in Thai traditional rejuvenating and neurotonic remedies. J. Ethnopharmacol 89: 261–264.

2. Vinutha, B. et al. (2007). Screening of selected Indian medicinal plants for acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. J. Ethnopharmacol 109: 359–36.