Anticholinesterase Activity of Eight Medicinal Plant Species: In Vitro and In Silico Studies in the Search for Therapeutic Agents against Alzheimer's Disease

Secondary metabolic profiling, antioxidant potential, enzyme inhibitory activities and in silico and ADME studies: a multifunctional approach to reveal medicinal and industrial potential of Tanacetum falconeri

Tanacetum falconeri is a significant flowering plant that possesses cytotoxic, insecticidal, antibacterial, and phytotoxic properties. Its chemodiversity and bioactivities, however, have not been thoroughly investigated. In this work, several extracts from various parts of T. falconeri were assessed for their chemical profile, antioxidant activity, and potential for enzyme inhibition. The total phenolic contents of T. falconeri varied from 40.28 ± 0.47 mg GAE/g to 11.92 ± 0.22 mg GAE/g in various extracts, while flavonoid contents were found highest in TFFM (36.79 ± 0.36 mg QE/g extract) and lowest (11.08 ± 0.22 mg QE/g extract) in TFSC (chloroform extract of stem) in similar pattern as found in total phenolic contents. Highest DPPH inhibition was observed for TFFC (49.58 ± 0.11 mg TE/g extract) and TFSM (46.33 ± 0.10 mg TE/g extract), whereas, TFSM was also potentially active against (98.95 ± 0.57 mg TE/g) ABTS radical. In addition, TFSM was also most active in metal reducing assays: CUPRAC (151.76 ± 1.59 mg TE/g extract) and FRAP (101.30 ± 0.32 mg TE/g extract). In phosphomolybdenum assay, the highest activity was found for TFFE (1.71 ± 0.03 mg TE/g extract), TFSM (1.64 ± 0.035 mg TE/g extract), TFSH (1.60 ± 0.033 mg TE/g extract) and TFFH (1.58 ± 0.08 mg TE/g extract), while highest metal chelating activity was recorded for TFSH (25.93 ± 0.79 mg EDTAE/g extract), TFSE (22.90 ± 1.12 mg EDTAE/g extract) and TFSC (19.31 ± 0.50 mg EDTAE/g extract). In biological screening, all extracts had stronger inhibitory capacity against AChE while in case of BChE the chloroform extract of flower (TFFC) and stem (TFSC) showed the highest activities with inhibitory values of 2.57 ± 0.24 and 2.10 ± 0.18 respectively. Similarly, TFFC and TFSC had stronger inhibitory capacity (1.09 ± 0.015 and 1.08 ± 0.002 mmol ACAE/g extract) against α-Amylase and (0.50 ± 0.02 and 0.55 ± 0.02 mmol ACAE/g extract) α-Glucosidase. UHPLC-MS study of methanolic extract revealed the presence of 133 components including sterols, triterpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids, and coumarins. The total phenolic contents were substantially linked with all antioxidant assays in multivariate analysis. These findings were validated by docking investigations, which revealed that the selected compounds exhibited high binding free energy with the enzymes tested. Finally, it was found that T. falconeri is a viable industrial crop with potential use in the production of functional goods and nutraceuticals.

Exploring the mechanisms of kaempferol in neuroprotection: Implications for neurological disorders

Kaempferol, a flavonoid compound found in various fruits, vegetables, and medicinal plants, has garnered increasing attention due to its potential neuroprotective effects in neurological diseases. This research examines the existing literature concerning the involvement of kaempferol in neurological diseases, including stroke, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, neuroblastoma/glioblastoma, spinal cord injury, neuropathic pain, and epilepsy. Numerous in vitro and in vivo investigations have illustrated that kaempferol possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties, contributing to its neuroprotective effects. Kaempferol has been shown to modulate key signaling pathways involved in neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation, such as the PI3K/Akt, MAPK/ERK, and NF-κB pathways. Moreover, kaempferol exhibits potential therapeutic benefits by enhancing neuronal survival, attenuating oxidative stress, enhancing mitochondrial calcium channel activity, reducing neuroinflammation, promoting neurogenesis, and improving cognitive function. The evidence suggests that kaempferol holds promise as a natural compound for the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action, optimize dosage regimens, and evaluate the safety and efficacy of this intervention in human clinical trials, thereby contributing to the advancement of scientific knowledge in this field.

In-silico molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation of γ-elemene and caryophyllene identified from the essential oil of Kaempferia galanga L. against biofilm forming proteins, CrtM and SarA of Staphylococcus aureus

Medicinal plants play an important role as antimicrobials by inhibiting various key targets of diverse microorganisms. A major antimicrobial component of plants is its essential oil, which are increasingly being studied for their antimicrobial properties as well as for their potential role in the inhibition of biofilm formation. In the present study, essential oil from Kaempferia galanga L was isolated resulting in the identification of eleven compounds. Of these, two of the compounds, γ-elemene and caryophyllene were found to dock with the target proteins, CrtM and SarA of Staphylococcus aureus, which are essential for the formation of biofilm. γ-elemene demonstrated the best binding affinity with CrtM with binding energy of -8.1 kcal/mol whereas caryophyllene and its derivative isocaryophyllene showed the best binding with SarA with binding energy -6.1 kcal/mol. ADMET study of the compounds also revealed that the compounds are non-toxic and can be used as probable compounds for inhibition of biofilms. Molecular dynamic simulation studies revealed high affinity of binding and stability of the molecules with their targets. PCA analysis helped in identifying the principal motions occurring within a trajectory that are essential in inducing conformational changes.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Elbehairi S, Achar RR, Silina E, Stupin V, Manturova N, Glossman-Mitnik D, Shivamallu C, Kollur SP. Anticholinesterase activity of Areca Catechu: In Vitro and in silico green synthesis approach in search for therapeutic agents against Alzheimer's disease

For many years, the primary focus has been on finding effective treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD), which has led to the identification of promising therapeutic targets. The necessity for AD stage-dependent optimal settings necessitated a herbal therapy strategy. The plant species Areca Catechu L. (AC) was selected based on the traditional uses against CNS-related diseases. AC leaf extract were prepared using a Soxhlet extraction method and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HAp-NPs) were synthesized from the same (AC-HAp-NPs). Powder X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to confirm the structure and morphology of the as-prepared AC-HAp-NPs. The crystalline character of the AC-HAp-NPs was visible in the XRD pattern. The synthesized material was found to be nanoflake, with an average diameter of 15-20 nm, according to SEM analysis. The TEM and SAED pictures also revealed the form and size of AC-HAp-NPs. In vitro anti-acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase (AChE and BChE) activities of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles produced from an AC leaf extract was tested in this study. When compared to control, AC-HAp-NPs had higher anti-AChE and BChE activity. The anti-acetylcholinesterase action of phytoconstituents generated from AC leaf extract was mediated by 4AQD and 4EY7, according to a mechanistic study conducted utilizing in silico research. The global and local descriptors, which are the underpinnings of Conceptual Density Functional Theory (CDFT), have been predicted through the MN12SX/Def2TZVP/H2O model chemistry to help in the comprehension of the chemical reactivity properties of the five ligands considered in this study. The CDFT experiments are supplemented by the calculation of several useful calculated pharmacokinetics indices, their expected biological targets connected to the bioavailability of the five ligands in order to further the goal of studying their bioactivity.

Effect of chlorogenic acid plus donepezil on critical neurocortical enzyme activities, inflammatory markers, and synaptophysin immunoreactivity in scopolamine-assaulted rats, supported by multiple ligand simultaneous docking

The effect of chlorogenic acid (a natural phenolic acid ubiquitous in plant foods) on selected therapeutic properties of donepezil (DON) in a scopolamine (SCOP)-induced rat model of amnesia was the focus of this study. Adult albino (Wister strain) rats were allocated into five groups (n = 11) consisting of control, SCOP, SCOP + chlorogenic acid (CGA), SCOP + DON, and SCOP + CGA + DON for 7 days. Post-treatment, the rat brain cerebral cortex homogenate was assayed for cholinesterase and monoamine oxidase activities. Also, the reactive oxygen species, total thiol and nitric oxide contents, alongside catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities were determined. Routine histology for neuronal and glial cells as well as synaptophysin immunoreactivity was also carried out on the cerebral cortex. Thereafter, multiple ligand simultaneous docking was carried out for DON and CGA at the active sites of AChE and BChE. The results revealed that the biochemical parameters, glial cells, and synaptophysin immunoreactivity were significantly impaired in the cerebral cortex of scopolamine-treated rats. However, impaired butyrylcholinesterase and monoamine oxidase activity, together with antioxidant, glial cells, and synaptophysin levels were significantly ameliorated in scopolamine-treated rats administered DON + CGA compared to donepezil alone. The docking of both DON and CGA at the active sites of AChE or BChE showed higher binding energy to both enzymes compared to individual interactions of either DON or CGA. Hence, this study has been able to show that CGA could improve some of the therapeutic effects of DON, which could broaden the therapeutic spectrum of this drug. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This study showed that chlorogenic acid (a major phenolic acid found in plant foods such as coffee) modulated some of the therapeutic properties of donepezil (an anticholinesterase drug used in the treatment of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease). The combinations elicited better anti-butyrylcholinesterase, antimonoamine oxidase, and antioxidant properties, thus presenting this food-drug interaction as potentially able to offer better therapeutic properties.

Exploring the Artemisia Genus: An Insight into the Phytochemical and Multi-Biological Potential of A. campestris subsp. lednicensis (Spreng.) Greuter & Raab-Straube

The Artemisia L. genus includes over five hundred species with great economic and medicinal properties. Our study aimed to provide a comprehensive metabolite and bioactivity profile of Artemisia campestris subsp. lednicensis (Spreng.) Greuter & Raab-Straube collected from north-eastern Romania. Liquid chromatography with tandem high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS) analysis of different polarity extracts obtained from the aerial parts led to the identification of twelve flavonoids, three phenolic acids, two sesquiterpene lactones, two fatty acids, one coumarin, and one lignan. The antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory properties were shown in the DPPH (0.71−213.68 mg TE/g) and ABTS (20.57−356.35 mg TE/g) radical scavenging, CUPRAC (38.56−311.21 mg TE/g), FRAP (121.68−202.34 mg TE/g), chelating (12.88−22.25 mg EDTAE/g), phosphomolybdenum (0.92−2.11 mmol TE/g), anti-acetylcholinesterase (0.15−3.64 mg GALAE/g), anti-butyrylcholinesterase (0−3.18 mg GALAE/g), anti-amylase (0.05−0.38 mmol ACAE/g), anti-glucosidase (0.43−2.21 mmol ACAE/g), and anti-tyrosinase (18.62−48.60 mg KAE/g) assays. At 100 μg/mL, Artemisia extracts downregulated the secretion of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human neutrophil model (29.05−53.08% of LPS+ control). Finally, the Artemisia samples showed moderate to weak activity (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) > 625 mg/L) against the seventeen tested microbial strains (bacteria, yeasts, and dermatophytes). Overall, our study shows that A. campestris subsp. lednicensis is a promising source of bioactives with putative use as food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic ingredients.

Hexane extracts from fruit of two varieties of Capsicum chinense Jacq.: their volatile constituents and antiacetylcholinesterase, antileishmanial and antiproliferative activities

This article aims to investigate volatile constituents and antiacetylcholinesterase, antileishmanial and antiproliferative activities of hexane extracts from Capsicum chinense fruit (unripe bode pepper 'HE-UB' and ripe little beak pepper 'HE-RB'). HE-UB and HE-RB were screened by the microplate assay method to determine their antiacetylcholinesterase activity. Both exhibited inhibitory potential, i. e., IC₅₀ = 41.5 and 20.3 µg/mL, respectively. HE-UB (IC₅₀ = 67.19 µg/mL) and HE-RB (IC₅₀ = 38.16 µg/mL) exhibited antileishmanial activity against promastigote forms of Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis. In addition, HE-UB and HE-RB demonstrated cytotoxic activity against different human tumor cell lines with IC₅₀ ranging from 325.40 to 425.0 µg/mL. Both GC-FID and GC-MS analyses revealed that the major component in both extracts was E-caryophyllene. In short, HE-RB was more satisfactory than HE-UB in all in vitro activities under evaluation. These findings may be used as initial data for further studies of Capsicum species.

Synthesis, Computational Pharmacokinetics Report, Conceptual DFT-Based Calculations and Anti-Acetylcholinesterase Activity of Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles Derived From Acorus Calamus Plant Extract

Over the years, Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatments have been a major focus, culminating in the identification of promising therapeutic targets. A herbal therapy approach has been required by the demand of AD stage-dependent optimal settings. Present study describes the evaluation of anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles derived from an Acorus calamus rhizome extract (AC-HAp NPs). The structure and morphology of as-prepared (AC-HAp NPs) was confirmed using powder X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The crystalline nature of as-prepared AC-HAp NPs was evident from XRD pattern. The SEM analysis suggested the spherical nature of the synthesized material with an average diameter between 30 and 50 nm. Further, the TEM and HR-TEM images revealed the shape and size of as-prepared (AC-HAp NPs). The interplanar distance between two lattice fringes was found to be 0.342 nm, which further supported the crystalline nature of the material synthesized. The anti-acetylcholinesterase activity of AC-HAp NPs was greater as compared to that of pure HAp NPs. The mechanistic evaluation of such an activity carried out using in silico studies suggested that the anti-acetylcholinesterase activity of phytoconstituents derived from Acorus calamus rhizome extract was mediated by BNDF, APOE4, PKC-γ, BACE1 and γ-secretase proteins. The global and local descriptors, which are the underpinnings of Conceptual Density Functional Theory (CDFT), have been predicted through the MN12SX/Def2TZVP/H2O model chemistry to help in the comprehension of the chemical reactivity properties of the five ligands considered in this study. With the further objective of analyzing their bioactivity, the CDFT studies are complemented with the estimation of some useful computed pharmacokinetics indices, their predicted biological targets, and the ADMET parameters related to the bioavailability of the five ligands are also reported.