Research article summary (published 30 Aug 2004):

Anticholinesterase activity in an alkaloid extract of Huperzia saururus.

Full Abstract

Huperzia saururus (Lam.) Trevis. (Lycopodiaceae) is used widely in Argentinian traditional medicine as an aphrodisiac and for memory improvement. An aqueous extract from the aerial parts was obtained by decoction, revealing the presence of alkaloids, among other constituents. By partition with organic solvent in alkaline media, alkaloids were extracted and then purified by gel permeation. We studied the anticholinesterase activity in vitro of the alkaloid extract using erythrocyte membranes and human serum as sources of acetylcholinesterase and pseudocholinesterase, respectively. The results show a marked inhibition of true acetylcholinesterase with an IC50 value of 0.58 microg/ml. Low inhibition of pseudocholinesterase was observed (IC50 value = 191 microg/ml). This shows a selectivity of the extract for the true acetylcholinesterase. Furthermore, chemical study of the bioactive extract was performed by GC-MS, revealing the presence of seven Lycopodium alkaloids, including some not identified previously: sauroxine, 6-hydroxylycopodine, N-acetyllycodine, lycopodine, lycodine, N-methyllycodine, and clavolonine. Further investigations will be undertaken in order to discover which compound/s are responsible for the aqueous extract's acetylcholinesterase activity.

Author information

Author/s: Ortega, M G (MG); Agnese, A M (AM); Cabrera, J L (JL);

Affiliation: Farmacognosia, Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, IMBIV (Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal, UNC-CONICET) Ciudad Universitaria, 5000 Córdoba, Argentina.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (Phytomedicine), published in Germany. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2004-Sep; vol 11 (issue 6) : pp 539-43

Dates: Created 2004/10/25; Completed 2004/12/15; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 15500266, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Acetylcholinesterase - drug effects; metabolism Cholinesterase Inhibitors - administration & dosage; pharmacology; therapeutic use Dose-Response Relationship, Drug Erythrocyte Membrane - enzymology Humans

Huperzia Inhibitory Concentration 50 Phytotherapy Plant Components, Aerial Plant Extracts - administration & dosage; pharmacology; therapeutic use

Associated Chemicals: Cholinesterase Inhibitors (0) ; Plant Extracts (0) ; Acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7)

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