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Planta Med 2004; 70(3): 260-262
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-818919
Letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Acetylcholinesterase Enzyme Inhibitory Effects of Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids

Esameldin E. Elgorashi1 , Gary I. Stafford1 , Johannes van Staden1
  • 1Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, School of Botany and Zoology, University of Natal Pietermaritzburg, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
This research was financially supported by the University of Natal Research Fund and the National Research Foundation, Pretoria
Further Information

Publication History

Received: September 25, 2003

Accepted: December 6, 2003

Publication Date:
23 March 2004 (online)

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Abstract

Twenty-three Amaryllidaceae alkaloids having several different ring types were evaluated for their acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) inhibitory activity. The alkaloid 1-O-acetyllycorine (IC50 : 0.96 ± 0.04) showed significant AChE inhibitory activity. In addition, crinine (IC50 : 461 ± 14), crinamidine (IC50 : 300 ± 27), epivittatine (IC50 : 239 ± 9), 6-hydroxycrinamine (IC50 : 490 ± 7), N-desmethyl-8α-ethoxypretazettine (IC50 : 234 ± 13) N-desmethyl-8β-ethoxypretazettine (IC50 : 419 ± 8), lycorine (IC50 : 213 ± 1), and 1,2-di-O-acetyllycorine (IC50 : 211 ± 10) had weak activity. Lycorine-type alkaloids were the most active alkaloids with 1-O-acetyllycorine exhibiting inhibitory effects two-fold more potent than that of galanthamine.

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Professor J van Staden

Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development

School of Botany and Zoology

University of Natal Pietermaritzburg

Private Bag X01

Scottsville 3209

South Africa

Phone: +927-33-2605130

Fax: +927-33-2605897

Email: rcpgd@nu.ac.za