Anticholinesterase activities of methanol extract and partitioned fractions of <i>Acanthospermum hispidum</i> DC

Abstract

Age related memory loss is a common occurrence in traditional medical practice and several medicinal plants have been used over the years for managing it. Acanthospermum hispidum DC (Asteraceae) is a medicinal plant that has been included in traditional preparations used in the management of memory loss. In clinical practice however, anticholinesterases have remained relevant in managing memory and cognition dysfunction associated both with old age and certain neurodegenerative diseases. In vitro anticholinesterase activity of extracts and fractions of A. hispidum was done using Ellman’s colorimetric and TLC bioautography assay with eserine as control. The ethyl acetate fraction of A. hispidum showed highest inhibition to acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase (91.11% and 64.31%, respectively) in a concentration-dependent manner. A. hispidum presents a good prospect in the development of cholinesterase inhibitors for the management of memory-related disorders.

Keywords: Acanthospermum hispidum, Anticholinesterase, acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase