Screening of non-alkaloid acetylcholinesterase inhibitors from extracts and essential oils of Anthriscus nemorosa (M.Bieb.) Spreng. (Apiaceae)

Abstract

This screening of biologically active compounds, cholinesterase inhibition and antioxidant potentials of extracts and essential oils from different plant parts such as fruits, aerial parts, roots and flowers of Anthriscus nemorosa was performed. GC analytical results of essential oil compositions have been detailed described. It was found that EtOAc fraction of root and root essential oil had the highest total phenolics content and antioxidant activity (DPPH test). The essential oil of roots showed the highest butyrylcholinesterase inhibition (88.51%). α-Pinene as the major component of root essential oil also indicated strong butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity (72.09%) and antioxidant effect. The GC-FID and GC–MS analysis assessed that major monoterpene of roots and aerial parts were α-pinene (25.5.%), myristicin (10.4%), p-cymene (8.2%), limonene (6.0%) and fatty alcohol 1-heptadecanol (7.5%). The root and aerial part canals revealed the smaller number of secretory canals which contains mainly monoterpene and oxygenated monoterpenes. The secretory canals of fruits and flowers were characterised by the largest shape and contain a high amount of sesquiterpene hydrocarbon bicyclogermacrene. The high content of sesquiterpene spathulenol (49.6%) was estimated in the extracts of the aerial part. These presented findings represented that the roots essential oil of A. nemorosa may be a novel alternative source of natural antioxidant and anticholinesterase.