Cholinesterase inhibitors from heartwood of artocarpus fulvicortex F. M. Jarret (Moraceae)

Abstract

Cholinesterase inhibition activities were screened on crude extracts and isolated compounds of the heartwood of Artocarpus fulvicortex. Phytochemical studies on the heartwood of A. fulvicortex have resulted in the isolation of one flavonoid, one stilbenoid and two triterpenes. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis as catechin (1), oxyresveratrol (2), lupeol-3-acetate (3) and friedelin (4). All isolates were evaluated for the first time for anti-cholinesterase activity. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), tested by Ellman’s method and modified TLC bioautographic assay showed catechin (1) and oxyresvetratrol (2) were active agents with detection limit of 2 mM. The microplate assay was carried out using butyrylcholinesterase (BChe) to further confirmed that catechin (1) and oxyresvetratrol (2) displayed positive cholinesterase activity with IC50 values 50.0 mM and 6.25 mM respectively in dose dependent manner.