Phytochemical Analysis and Evaluation of Biological Activity of Lawsonia inermis Seeds Related to Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract

Using Lawsonia inermis L. (henna) seeds has been frequently recommended for the improvement of memory in Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM). In this respect, different fractions of the plant were prepared and evaluated for their in vitro biological assays related to Alzheimer’s disease (AD), including acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activity as well as metal chelating ability and DPPH antioxidant activity. The dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions were able to inhibit the BChE selectively with IC50 values of 113.47 and 124.90 μg/mL, respectively, compared with donepezil as the reference drug (IC50 = 1.52 μg/mL). However, all fractions were inactive toward AChE. Phytochemical analysis of the dichloromethane fraction indicated the presence of β-sitosterol (1), 3-O-β-acetyloleanolic acid (2), 3-O-(Z)-coumaroyl oleanolic acid (3), betulinic acid (4), and oleanolic acid (5). The inhibitory activity of isolated compounds was also evaluated toward AChE and BChE. Among them, compounds 2 and 5 showed potent inhibitory activity toward BChE with IC50 values of 77.13 and 72.20 μM, respectively. However, all compounds were inactive toward AChE. Moreover, molecular docking study confirmed desired interactions between those compounds and the BChE active site. The ability of fractions and compounds to chelate biometals (Cu2+, Fe2+, and Zn2+) was also investigated. Finally, DPPH antioxidant assay revealed that the ethyl acetate (IC50 = 3.08 μg/mL) and methanol (IC50 = 3.64 μg/mL) fractions possessed excellent antioxidant activity in comparison to BHA as the positive control (IC50 = 3.79 μg/mL).

Phytochemical analysis and anticholinesterase activity of aril of Myristica fragrans Houtt

“…It has been depicted that single-target drug therapies have not offered an efficient therapeutic strategy for the treatment of AD and therefore, discovery of multi-target agents has been in the center of attention in the field of drug development research [5]. A variety of medicinal plants have been vastly applied for memory enhancement and other dementia-related complications via various mechanisms [6] such as ChE inhibitory activity [7][8][9][10], as well as prevention of neurodegenerative diseases [11].…”

Use of medicinal plants by individuals diagnosed with mental illness: A qualitative study

“…It was stated that the henna plant strengthens memory, relieves headache, and at the same time, henna plant oil relieves physical weakness and provides relief (Karaca & Şar, 2016; Semwal et al, 2014). Studies reported that henna reduces anxiety behaviours (Ahmed & Iqbal, 2014) and henna leaves are very important for the regulation of memory, attention, learning and motivation (Balaei‐Kahnamoei et al, 2021). It was thought that the characterization of medicinal plants as mental ointment could be used especially in the management of mental illnesses and could contribute to the practice of mental health nurses.…”

Plant-Derived Bioactive Compounds in the Management of Neurodegenerative Disorders: Challenges, Future Directions and Molecular Mechanisms Involved in Neuroprotection

“…Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of β-sitosterol, 3-O-β-acetyloleanolic acid, betulinic acid, and oleanolic acid in dichloromethane and ethyl-acetate fractions of Lawsonia inermis (L.) seeds, which exhibited selective inhibitory action against BChE, with IC 50 values of 113.47 and 124.90 μg/mL, respectively, whereas ethyl-acetate and methanolic extracts displayed excellent antioxidant capacity, with IC 50 values of 3.08 μg/mL and 3.64 μg/mL, respectively [ 47 ]. Ferula ammoniacum , an endemic medicinal plant, has been reported to contain epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), ellagic acid, quercetin, chlorogenic acid, phloroglucinol, mandelic acid, hydroxy benzoic acid, malic acid, rutin, and pyrogallol in different fractions.…”