Ortega_2004_Phytomedicine_11_539

Reference

Title : Anticholinesterase activity in an alkaloid extract of Huperzia saururus - Ortega_2004_Phytomedicine_11_539
Author(s) : Ortega MG , Agnese AM , Cabrera JL
Ref : Phytomedicine , 11 :539 , 2004
Abstract :

Huperzia saururus (Lam.) Trevis. (Lycopodiaceae) is used widely in Argentinian traditional medicine as an aphrodisiac and for memory improvement. An aqueous extract from the aerial parts was obtained by decoction, revealing the presence of alkaloids, among other constituents. By partition with organic solvent in alkaline media, alkaloids were extracted and then purified by gel permeation. We studied the anticholinesterase activity in vitro of the alkaloid extract using erythrocyte membranes and human serum as sources of acetylcholinesterase and pseudocholinesterase, respectively. The results show a marked inhibition of true acetylcholinesterase with an IC50 value of 0.58 microg/ml. Low inhibition of pseudocholinesterase was observed (IC50 value = 191 microg/ml). This shows a selectivity of the extract for the true acetylcholinesterase. Furthermore, chemical study of the bioactive extract was performed by GC-MS, revealing the presence of seven Lycopodium alkaloids, including some not identified previously: sauroxine, 6-hydroxylycopodine, N-acetyllycodine, lycopodine, lycodine, N-methyllycodine, and clavolonine. Further investigations will be undertaken in order to discover which compound/s are responsible for the aqueous extract's acetylcholinesterase activity.

PubMedSearch : Ortega_2004_Phytomedicine_11_539
PubMedID: 15500266

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Citations formats

Ortega MG, Agnese AM, Cabrera JL (2004)
Anticholinesterase activity in an alkaloid extract of Huperzia saururus
Phytomedicine 11 :539

Ortega MG, Agnese AM, Cabrera JL (2004)
Phytomedicine 11 :539