Metabolite profile and in vitro activities of Phagnalon saxatile (L.) Cass. relevant to treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

The present study describes for the first time the in vitro properties (inhibition of NO production and anticholinesterase) of Phagnalon saxatile (L.) Cass. (Asteraceae). The methanolic extract showed antioxidant activity that was measured by DPPH assay and β-carotene bleaching test. The same extract inhibited NO production in the murine monocytic macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibition was assessed by modifications of Ellman’s method. Purification of the MeOH extract of P. saxatile allowed the isolation of phenolic compounds. Among them, the compounds that most effectively inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced NO production were caffeic acid and methylchlorogenic acid, with IC₅₀ values of 7 μg/mL and 12 μg/mL, respectively. Luteolin and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid exhibited the most promising activity against AChE with an IC₅₀ of 25.2 and 54.5 μg/mL, respectively, while caffeic acid and luteolin exhibited higher activity against BChE with an IC₅₀ of 32.2 and 37.2 μg/mL, respectively.

Keywords::

• Phagnalon saxatile
• Asteraceae
• phenolic compounds
• inhibition of NO production
• Alzheimer’s disease

Acknowledgement

The authors thank the CSIAS of University of Naples “Federico II” for technical assistance.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest.