Epimediphine, a novel alkaloid from Epimedium koreanum inhibits acetylcholinesterase

Nat Prod Res. 2013;27(12):1067-74. doi: 10.1080/14786419.2012.708660. Epub 2012 Jul 24.

Abstract

A novel aporphine alkaloid was isolated from the leaves of Epimedium koreanum Nakai during activity-guided fractionation in search of compounds with an anticholinesterase activity. The structure of the new compound was assigned as 1,10-methoxy-7-hydroxy-aporphine (1), which we have named epimediphine. Unambiguous (1)H-NMR and (13)C-NMR data for epimediphine are described. Epimediphine inhibited an acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 3.1 µM. Meanwhile, tacrine, dehydroevodiamine and physostigmine, which are therapeutic drugs or candidates for AD, exhibited an anti-AchE activity with IC50 values of 0.4, 37.9 and 0.12 µM, respectively.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholinesterase / metabolism
  • Alkaloids / chemistry
  • Alkaloids / isolation & purification
  • Alkaloids / pharmacology
  • Aporphines / chemistry
  • Aporphines / pharmacology*
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Epimedium / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Physostigmine / pharmacology
  • Tacrine / pharmacology

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • Aporphines
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors
  • epimediphine
  • aporphine
  • Tacrine
  • dehydroevodiamine
  • Physostigmine
  • Acetylcholinesterase