Objective - At least seven plants known as Shankhapushpi are used in Indian system of medicine for improving memory function. The present study was aimed to analyze the antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory properties of the methanolic extracts of five of these plants, e.g. Clitorea ternatea, Canscora decussata, C. diffusa, Evolvulus alsinoides, E. nummularius.Methods Acetylcholinesterase activity was assayed modifying the method of Ellman et al. (1961) using mice brain homogenates as the enzyme source. Antioxidant activity of the extracts were determined by measuring DPPH radical and superoxide radical scavenging activity, metal chelation effect and total antioxidant capacity.Results - All the plants (except C. ternatea) inhibited acetylcholinesterase in a dose dependant manner, significantly scavenged DPPH radical and superoxide radical and chelated metal ions. Total antioxidant capacity (equivalent to ascorbic acid) of the plant extracts were also good. It was found that C. decussata has the highest acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. Antioxidant activity in all systems (except metal chelation property) was highest in C. decussata.
Aim:The aim of the study was to analyze the antioxidant, anti-amylase, anti-glucosidase and antiacetylcholinesterase (anti-AChE) properties of the leafy shoots of three Indian species of Swertia e.g. Swertia chirata and its substitutes Swertia bimaculata, and Swertia decussata, their xanthones and amarogentin. Methods: Antioxidant activity of the methanolic extracts of leafy shoots was measured in terms of DPPH, superoxide and nitric oxide radical scavenging activities as well as metal chelating properties. Enzyme inhibitory properties were measured using AChE, α-amylase and α-glucosidase respectively. Five xanthones bellidifolin (1), swerchirin (2), decussatin (3), mangiferin (4) and 1-hydroxy-3,5,8-trimethoxy xanthone (6) and one iridoid, amarogentin (5) were isolated from Swertia chirata. The activities of the isolated components were compared. Results: Swertia chirata exhibited best antioxidant and antiAChE properties than the other two species. The plants also possessed α-glucosidase inhibitory properties but weak α-amylase inhibitory activity. Highest activities were observed in Swertia chirata. We report here, for the first time, the antioxidant, anti-AChE and anti-glycosidase activity of 1-hydroxy-3,5,8-trimethoxy xanthone. This xanthone had strongest DPPH radical scavenging activity and anti-AChE property. Conclusion: The results suggest the beneficial effects of the xanthones of Swertia chirata. But further study should be carried out to prove the efficacy in vivo.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.