Acetylcholine esterase inhibition activity of leaf extract of Saraca asoca using zebrafish as model organism
Acetylcholine esterase (AChE); Alzheimers disease; Molecular docking; Saraca asoca; Zebrafish
Alzheimers disease, also called as Senile Dementia, is a progressive neurogenerative disease that slowly destroys important mental functions like memory, reasoning and thinking. A plethora of factors including genetics, lifestyle, environment, age etc. play a part in determining its incidence. One of the commonly used techniques to slow down the progression of Alzheimers is to reduce the functioning of Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme which breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Plants have been found to be natural sources of AChE inhibitors. Hence the present investigation was an attempt to screen Ashoka plant (Saraca asoca) for such inhibitors. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) was used as a model organism due to its genetic similarities with humans. Both in vivo and in vitro analyses using zebrafish indicated inhibitory action of the leaf extract on AChE. Gas Chromatography- Mass spectrometry (GCMS) analysis of the methanolic leaf extract and further docking studies of prominent phytochemicals revealed the AChE inhibitory potential of molecules like Stigmasterol, ?-sitosterol, Vitamin E etc. Hence these molecules can be thought of as targets in the therapy of Alzheimers disease. 2020 World Research Association. All rights reserved.
Rijo R.; Tilling B.R.; Mehul V.A.; Sumit P.; Suma S.
Research Journal of Chemistry and Environment, Vol-24, No. 6, pp. 88-94.
Rijo R., Department of Life Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, 560029, India; Tilling B.R., Department of Life Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, 560029, India; Mehul V.A., Department of Life Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, 560029, India; Sumit P., Department of Life Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, 560029, India; Suma S., Department of Life Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, 560029, India