In-vitro studies on acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory potentials of aerial parts of Vernonia oligocephala (Asteraceae)

Purpose: To evaluate the cholinesterases (acetylcholinestrase and butyrylcholinestrase) enzyme inhibitory potential of aerial parts Vernonia oligocephala (V. oligocephala) as a potential remedy for the management of neurodegenerative disorders. Methods: Crude methanol extract of V. oligocephala leaves and its fractions including n-hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate and n-butanol were investigated for their inhibitory potentials against cholinesterases enzymes employing standard ELISA microtiter plate reader assay. Results: All the extracts were moderately active against both the tested enzymes. The ethyl acetate and n-hexane fractions showed highest inhibition against acetylcholinesterase enzyme with IC ₅₀ values of 128.81±0.44 µg/mL and 200.51±0.22 µg/mL, respectively. In case of butrylcholinesterase, ethyl acetate (IC ₅₀ ; 145.71±0.19µg/mL) and DCM (IC ₅₀ ; 269.31±0.45 µg/mL) fractions were the most active. All other fractions including crude methanol extract exhibited least inhibition. Overall, ethyl acetate fraction was the most active against both enzymes. Conclusion: Results indicate the promising potential of V.oligocephala as source of new potential compounds for management of Alzheimer’s disease. However, further studies to isolate and identify the potential bioactive components are needed.