Detection by UPLC/ESI-TOF-MS of alkaloids in three lycopodiaceae species from french polynesia and their anticholinesterase activity

Abstract

Three Lycopodiaceae species from French Polynesia, Lycopodium venustulum C. Gaudichaud, Lycopodiella cernua (C. Linnaeus) R. E. Pichi Sermolli and Lycopodium henryanum E. D. Brown were investigated for their alkaloidal composition by UHPLC/ESI-TOF-MS. Ten alkaloids were identified, with lycopodine and lycodoline being the main constituents in the three species. The acetylcholinesterase-inhibitory activities of the three species are probably due to the occurrence of huperzine A, huperzine B, huperzine E, huperzinine and lycopodine.