Screening of Korean herbal medicines used to improve cognitive function for anti-cholinesterase activity

Phytomedicine. 2004 Sep;11(6):544-8. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2004.03.001.

Abstract

Methanolic extracts of seven herbs (Acorus calamus, Acorus gramineus, Bupleurm facaltum, Dioscorea batatas, Epimedium koreanum, Poria cocos and Zizyphi jujuba) used in traditional Korean medicine for improvement of memory and cognition in old age were tested for cholinesterase inhibitory properties using the Ellman colorimetric method. Significant inhibition of the enzyme at 200 microg/ml was observed for extracts from A. calamus and E. koreanum. The possible bases for the reputation of these and the other herbs tested are discussed in the light of previous investigations into their chemistry and biological activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholinesterase / drug effects
  • Acetylcholinesterase / metabolism
  • Alzheimer Disease / prevention & control
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Cognition / drug effects*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Erythrocytes / enzymology
  • Humans
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Korea
  • Medicine, Traditional
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • Plant Oils / administration & dosage
  • Plant Oils / pharmacology
  • Plant Oils / therapeutic use
  • Plant Roots
  • Plants, Medicinal*

Substances

  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors
  • Plant Extracts
  • Plant Oils
  • Acetylcholinesterase