Screening of spice extracts possessing anti-acetylcholinesterase activity and active principle of bitter ginger, rhizome of zingiber zerumbet

Abstract

In our research program for investigating anti-dementia agents from natural plant resources, we screened extracts from 15 spice samples. Among the plant extracts tested, ethyl acetate extract prepared from rhizome of Zingiber zerumbet showed potent activity. Activity-guided purification led to determination of afzelin and its acetylated compound as the active principles. Afzelin showed moderate inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase and may also be expected to possess anti-butyrylcholinesterase activity. This is the first report to reveal the anti-cholinesterase activities of ethyl acetate extract of Z. zerumbet and afzelin. Furthermore, Z. zerumbet may be a potential therapeutic agent for the improvement of dementia, especially Alzheimer's disease.