Acetylcholinesterase and NADH oxidase inhibitory activity of some medicinal plants

Acetyl-cholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7) comprise a family of enzymes which include serine hydrolases. Acetyl-cholinesterase (AChE) catalyzes the hydrolysis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and termination of the nerve impulse in cholinergic synapses. AChE inhibitory activities were determined as given in Materials and Methods. Results show that the following plants have more than 50% inhibition of AChEase enzyme activity at 250 μg plant extract. Onosma bracteatum 61.12±4.28, Orchis mascula 59.80±2.2, Cymbopogon jawarancusa 70.6. AChE is used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other related diseases. NADH oxidase (EC 1.6.99.3) catalyzes the two-electron reduction of oxygen to peroxide or the four-electron reduction of oxygen to water. 50% inhibition of NADH oxidase inhibitory activity was recorded at 250 μg plant extract of Alhagi. Maurorum 60.48±1.40 with Myristica fragrans 52.69±2.99, Nepeta hindostana 57.53±3.43, Pinus gerardiana 70.43±7.0. Other plant extracts showed <50% inhibitory activities against the two enzymes.