Screening of Korean herbal medicines used to improve cognitive function for anti-cholinesterase activity.

Full Abstract

Methanolic extracts of seven herbs (Acorus calamus, Acorus gramineus, Bupleurm facaltum, Dioscorea batatas, Epimedium koreanum, Poria cocos and Zizyphi jujuba) used in traditional Korean medicine for improvement of memory and cognition in old age were tested for cholinesterase inhibitory properties using the Ellman colorimetric method. Significant inhibition of the enzyme at 200 microg/ml was observed for extracts from A. calamus and E. koreanum. The possible bases for the reputation of these and the other herbs tested are discussed in the light of previous investigations into their chemistry and biological activity.

Author information

Author/s: Oh, M H (MH); Houghton, P J (PJ); Whang, W K (WK); Cho, J H (JH);

Affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Pharmacognosy Research Laboratories, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 8WA, UK.

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 544-8

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

PMID: 15500267, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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