Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Activity of a Sesquiterpenoid from Curcuma aromatica Rhizomes

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurogenerative disorder of the central
nervous system. This disease is recognized by memory loss, emotional disturbance,
personality changes and finally the total eradication of the nervous system. The body
functions are lost, ultimately leading to death. This disease is a worldwide problem and
no drug can effectively cure or confer complete protection to neurons from this disease.
Plants are promising sources of natural products with anti-Alzheimer activity, for example,
acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. Curcuma aromatica Salib. (Zingiberaceae) is a plant
in the Family Zingiberaceae. Extraction and isolation of the constituents led to the
isolation of three sesquiterpenes, zederone, xanthorrhizol and germacrone. Antiacetylcholinesterase
evaluation of these three sesquiterpenes have been carried out and
it was found that xanthorrhizol exhibited moderate inhibitory activity, with the IC50 value of
22.00 ± 1.03 μM. However, zederone and germacrone were inactive. The standard drug,
galanthamine, showed IC50 value at 1.45 ± 0.04 μM.