Chemo-profiling of some Turkish Galanthus L. (Amaryllidaceae) species and their anticholinesterase activity

Amaryllidaceae family, consisting of economically important plants with ornamental value, is very well-known for its isoquinoline alkaloids with variable biological activities and chemical structures. Among these alkaloids, an effective acetylcholinesterase inhibitor galanthamine, is prescribed widely in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Plants of the Amaryllidaceae family are therefore, subjected to intensive research to find potent cholinesterase inhibitors. The chemical composition of three Galanthus species including Galanthus krasnovii A.P. Khokhr., Galanthus gracilis Celak. and an endemic species Galanthus peshmenii A.P. Davis & C.D. Brickell were analyzed by GC-MS. In total, twenty-five alkaloids with various chemical structure types and a lignan, namely epipinoresinol were identified. Cholinesterase inhibitory potentials of the plant extracts were also determined by in vitro Ellman's method. Extracts of Galanthus krasnovii bulbs displayed the most promising acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibitory activities (AChE: IC50: 8.26 mg/mL and BuChE: IC50: 6.23 mg/mL). (C) 2020 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.