In vitroenzyme inhibition activities of crude ethanolic extracts derived from medicinal plants of Pakistan

Abstract

Twenty two crude ethanolic extracts from 14 indigenous medicinal plants were subjected to enzyme inhibition screening against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and lipoxygenase enzymes (LO). Three extracts showed activity against AChE, nine extracts were found to be active against BChE and four extracts inhibited the enzyme LO. The most significant inhibition activities (> or =50%) were found in extracts derived from Aloe vera (leaves), Alpinia galanga (rhizome), Curcuma longa (rhizome), Cymbopogon citratus (leaves), Ocimum americanum (leaves), Ocimum americanum (stem) and Withania somnifera (roots).

Neuroprotective effect of Alpinia galanga (L.) fractions on Aβ(25–35) induced amnesia in mice

“…It is a ginger substitute for flavouring food. Various compounds are isolated and screened for biological activities such as terpenyl ester (2-endohydroxy-1,8-cineole) for antimicrobial and antibacterial activity (Miyazawa and Hashimoto, 2002), essential oils for antifungal activity (Jantan et al, 2003), hypoglycemic activity (Akhtar et al, 2002) and in vitro cholinesterase enzyme inhibition (Khattak et al, 2005). Bioassay guided separation, yielded three new 8-9 linked neolignans, galanganal, galanganols screened for nitric oxide (NO) production inhibitory action (Morikawa et al, 2005), and Nuclear factor-kappa B activation was suppressed by 1 -acetoxychavicol acetate (Ichikawa et al, 2006).…”

Preliminary evaluation of the antispasmodic and lipoxygenase inhibitory effects of some selected medicinal plants

“…From the present study it is evident that the plant kingdom is a valuable source for new 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors. Plant screening opens the possibility of finding lead structures which could be candidates for chemical modifications with the aim of optimizing bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of the active agent, thus considerably improving the efficiency of plant constituents for therapy (Khattak et al, 2005;Pietta et al, 1998;Pulido et al, 2000). Overall, this investigation supports the rational use of these extracts in traditional medical practice.…”

“…In the case of A. laeve, the weakest lipoxygenase inhibitory activity (37.7%) was observed of all selected plants (Figure 2). The search for new lipoxygenase inhibitors appears to be a promising approach for the development of new drugs for the treatment of a variety of disorders including bronchial asthma, inflammation, cancer and autoimmune diseases (Ahmad et al, 2008;Khattak et al, 2005;Wagner, 1993). From the present study it is evident that the plant kingdom is a valuable source for new 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors.…”

“…Arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase is the key enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of arachidonic acid to leukotrienes which are active mediators of inflammatory and allergic reactions (Ahmad et al, 2008;Khattak et al, 2005;Wagner, 1993). Lipoxygenase inhibition is thus a key target for the design and discovery of new therapies for the treatment of a variety of inflammatory diseases including bronchial asthma, cancer and autoimmune diseases (Ahmad et al, 2008;Khattak et al, 2005;Wagner, 1993).…”

“…Lipoxygenase inhibition is thus a key target for the design and discovery of new therapies for the treatment of a variety of inflammatory diseases including bronchial asthma, cancer and autoimmune diseases (Ahmad et al, 2008;Khattak et al, 2005;Wagner, 1993).…”