Exploring anti-acetylcholinesterase, antioxidant and metal chelating activities of extracts of Moringa oleifera L. for possible prevention and cure of Alzheimers disease

摘要

The aim of this research is to explore the natural flora of Kashmir for novel plant products for their possible applications in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In the current study, Moringa oleifera L. was selected for its possible memory-enhancing potential. Extracts of various parts of the plant were screened for anti-acetylcholinesterase, antioxidant and metal chelating activities. The data obtained clearly establish that impure fraction (MSC) obtained from methanolic shoot extract by silica-gel chromatography showed significant anti-AChE (IC50; 77.58 µg/ml), antioxidant (IC50; 1.26 µg/ml) and metal chelating potential (80%). Factions MSC1 (pure compound) and MSC2 obtained from MSC by thin layer chromatography (TLC) separation showed significant action against AChE activity with IC50 values of 64.53 and 120.38 µg/ml, respectively. Methanolic leave extract has also shown significant anti-AChE activity (IC50; 77.32 µg/ml) with weaker antioxidant potential (IC50; 127.27 µg/ml). We conclude that methanolic shoot extracts of the plant with high anti-acetylcholiesterase and antioxidant activities may have AD therapeutic potential.