Enzyme inhibitory and antioxidant capacities of Sri Lankan Med. Plants

Plant sources contain numerous natural compounds, which could act as lead compounds for drug scaffolds. These lead compounds have beneficial therapeutic roles, some of which are used for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and cancer. Total ethanolic extracts of seventeen selected medicinal plants from Sri Lanka were evaluated for Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and protease enzyme inhibitory and antioxidant activities. Of these, the bark extract of Toona ciliata showed marked AChE, BChE, protease enzyme inhibitory activities. Extracts of T. ciliata, Osbeckia octandra, Fleuggea leucopyrus and Evolvulus alsinoides showed both high antioxidant capacities and high phenolic contents. Extracts of these plants could be used for pharmaceutical as well as for nutraceutical purpose.

Autorentext

Samaradivakara SP is currently reading for her PhD, registered under the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka and works as the DNA database co ordinator for DNA4Technologies, USA. She received her M.Phil from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Her research interests include DNA barcording of plant species and bio activities of herbal plants.