The Anti-Cholinesterase Potential of Fifteen Different Species of Narcissus L. (Amaryllidaceae) Collected in Spain

Abstract

<p>Narcissus L. is a renowned plant genus with a notable center of diversity and is primarily</p><p>located in the Mediterranean region. These plants are widely recognized for their ornamental value,</p><p>owing to the beauty of their flowers; nonetheless, they also hold pharmacological importance. In</p><p>Europe, pharmaceutical companies usually use the bulbs of Narcissus pseudonarcissus cv. Carlton to</p><p>extract galanthamine, which is one of the few medications approved by the FDA for the palliative</p><p>treatment of mild-to-moderate symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. The purpose of this study was to</p><p>evaluate the potential of these plants in Alzheimer’s disease. The alkaloid extract from the leaves</p><p>of different species of Narcissus was obtained by an acid-base extraction work-up -procedure. The</p><p>biological potential of the samples was carried out by evaluating their ability to inhibit the enzymes</p><p>acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase (AChE and BuChE, respectively). The species N. jacetanus exhibited</p><p>the best inhibition values against AChE, with IC50 values of 0.75 0.03 gmL 1, while N. jonquilla</p><p>was the most active against BuChE, with IC50 values of 11.72 1.15 gmL 1.</p>