Antioxidant capacity, anti-acetylcholinesterase activity and inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation in mice brain homogenate of Achillea millefolium

Abstract

Abstract Objective Achillea millefolium (A. millefolium) is a traditional herbal medicine that contains natural compounds with antioxidant activities and is used for a wide range of conditions among people. The aim of our study was to investigate antioxidant and anti-acetylcholinesterase activities of A. millefolium extracts to determine its potential therapeutic usage in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods Methanol extracts (ME) and ethanol extracts (EE) of A. millefolium were prepared to determine (a) in vitro antioxidant activities, (b) the effects on acetylcholinesterase kinetics (by using a colorimetric spectroscopic method) and (c) the effects on sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced lipid peroxidation in mice brain homogenate. Results ME had higher antioxidant activities compared to EE. Both extracts displayed a competitive inhibition of acetylcholinesterase; however, the inhibitory activity of ME was higher than EE. The inhibitory constant (Ki) values of ME and EE were found to be 28.43 and 68.47 μg/mL, respectively. Both extracts caused a significant concentration-dependent decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in mice brain homogenate, indicating a strong inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Conclusions Our results showed that A. millefolium has a high antioxidant capacity and anti-acetylcholinesterase activity due to its phenolic compounds, suggesting a potential use as adjuvant therapy in neurodegenerative conditions such as AD.