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Planta Med 2004; 70(10): 1011-1014
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-832632
Letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Xanthones from Gentiana campestris as New Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors

Aurélie Urbain1 , Andrew Marston1 , Emerson Ferreira Queiroz1 , Karine Ndjoko1 , Kurt Hostettmann1
  • 1Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, Geneva-Lausanne School of Pharmacy, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
Further Information

Publication History

Received: April 8, 2004

Accepted: May 27, 2004

Publication Date:
18 October 2004 (online)

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Abstract

In order to discover new acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors, different plant extracts were screened by a previously established TLC bioautographic method. The methanol extract of Gentiana campestris leaves exhibited significant inhibition of AChE activity. A bioactivity-guided fractionation approach was undertaken to isolate the active components. Four xanthones, bellidin, bellidifolin, bellidin 8-O-β-glucopyranoside (norswertianolin), and bellidifolin 8-O-β-glucopyranoside (swertianolin), were found to be responsible for the anti-AChE activity effects. Bellidifolin showed similar activity to galanthamine in this enzyme assay.

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Prof. Kurt Hostettmann

Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

Geneva-Lausanne School of Pharmacy

University of Lausanne

BEP

1015 Lausanne

Switzerland

Phone: +41-21-692-4561

Fax: +41-21-692-4565

Email: Kurt.Hostettmann@pharm.unige.ch