Analysis of amaryllidaceae alkaloids from Zephyranthes robusta by GC-MS and their cholinesterase activity

Abstract

From the bulbs of Zephyranthes robusta Baker (Amaryllidaceae), seven known compounds, belonging to four structural types of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids, were identified and quantified by GC-MS. The alkaloid extract from the bulbs showed promising acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activities against HuAChE (IC50 = 35.9 ± 3.5 μg/mL) and HuBuChE (IC50 = 190.9 ± 8.2 μg/mL).