Anticholinesterase activity of essential oils and their constituents from Thai medicinal plants in human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells

Author: Worawan Kitphati, Kittima Wattanakamolkul, Pattamapan Lomarat, Phanida Phanthong , Natthinee Anantachoke, Veena Nukoolkarn , Krit Thirapanmethee , Nuntavan Bunyapraphatsara

Category: Pharmacy

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Abstract:

Essential oils had strong potency to inhibit acetylcholinesterase in the brain because of their lipophilicity and small molecular size of the constituents. The anticholinesterase activity of thirteen essential oils from Thai medicinal plants was investigated. The inhibitory activity of the oils and their constituents was determined by modified Ellman’s coloric method. Additionally, anticholinesterase activity of these oils was examined in SK-N-SH cells. Only six out of thirteen essential oils; galanga, turmeric, fingerroot, holy basil, plai and betel vine, showed the strong inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity by using TLCassay method. IC50 values of galanga, turmeric and fingerroot oils demonstrated the stronger inhibition than the rest. These oils also exhibited strong inhibitory effect in SK-NSH cells. However, the oils itself exhibited higher anticholinesterase activity than their active constituents. Turmeric, galanga and fingerroot oils showed strong inhibitory effect on both pure and cellular acetylcholinesterase enzyme. The anticholinesterase activity of the oils may be the consequence of the interactions between active constituents as well as other constituents in the oils.

Keywords: essential oils, active constituents, Thai medicinal plants, anticholinesterase activity, SK-N-SH cells