Table 1.
Plant extracts with in vitro anticholinesterase activity assessed by Ellman's Method reported in Pubmed from 2007 to 2018 (1st semester).
| Plant species (Families) | Type of extract or fraction (plant's part) | IC50 (μg/mL) | Toxicological assessment# | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scadoxus puniceus (L.) Friis & Nordal (Amaryllidaceae) | Ethyl acetate extract (bulb) | 0.3 | Not assessed | Adewusi and Steenkamp, 2011 |
| Lannea schweinfurthii Engl. (Anacardiaceae) | Ethyl acetate extract (root) | 0.3 | Not assessed | Adewusi and Steenkamp, 2011 |
| Carpolobia lutea G. Don (Polygalaceae) | Ethyl acetate fraction (root) | 0.3 | ≤ 100 μg/mL | Nwidu et al., 2017 |
| Xysmalobium undulatum (L.) W. T. Aiton (Apocynaceae) | Ethyl acetate extract (root) | 0.5 | Not assessed | Adewusi and Steenkamp, 2011 |
| Phlegmariurus tetragonus (Hook. & Grev.) B. Øllg. (Lycopodiaceae)* | Alkaloidal fraction (aerial parts) | 0.9 | Not assessed | Armijos et al., 2016 |
| Esenbeckia leiocarpa Engl. (Rutaceae) | Alkaloidal fraction (stems) | 1.6 | Not assessed | Cardoso-Lopes et al., 2010 |
| Melissa officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) | Ethanolic extract (leaves) | 1.7 | Not assessed | Dastmalchi et al., 2009 |
| Carpolobia lutea G. Don (Polygalaceae) | Aqueous fraction (root) | 2 | ≤ 100 μg/mL | Nwidu et al., 2017 |
| Crinum bulbispermum (Burm. f.) Milne-Redh. & Schweick. (Amaryllidaceae) | Ethyl acetate extract (bulb) | 2.1 | Not assessed | Adewusi and Steenkamp, 2011 |
| Morus alba L. (Moraceae) | Ethyl acetate fraction (root-bark) | 2.5 | Not assessed | Kuk et al., 2017 |
| Angelica decursiva (Miq.) Franch. & Sav. (Apiaceae) | Aqueous fraction (whole plant) | 2.6 | Not assessed | Ali et al., 2015 |
| Carpolobia lutea G. Don (Polygalaceae) | Methanolic extract (root) | 3 | ≤ 100 μg/mL | Nwidu et al., 2017 |
| Buchanania axillaris (Desr.) Ramamoorthy (Anacardiaceae) | Methanolic extract (aerial parts) | 4.9 | Not assessed | Penumala et al., 2018 |
| Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Lamiaceae) | Ethanolic extract (whole plant) | 5.0 | Not assessed | Lin et al., 2008 |
| Huperzia serrata (Thunb.) Trevis. (Lycopodiaceae) | Alkaloids fraction (whole plant) | 6.0 | Not assessed | Ohba et al., 2015 |
| Esenbeckia leiocarpa Engl. (Rutaceae) | Hexanic fraction (stems) | 6.0 | Not assessed | Cardoso-Lopes et al., 2010 |
| Angelica decursiva (Miq.) Franch. & Sav. (Apiaceae) | Buthanolic fraction (whole plant) | 6.0 | Not assessed | Ali et al., 2015 |
| Berberis aetnensis C. Presl (Berberidaceae) | Methanolic fraction (root) | 7.6 | Not assessed | Bonesi et al., 2013 |
| Senna obtusifolia (L.) H. S. Irwin & Barneby. (Leguminosae) | Ethyl acetate fraction (leaves) | 9.4 | Not assessed | Jung et al., 2016 |
| Angelica decursiva (Miq.) Franch. & Sav. (Apiaceae) | Ethyl acetate fraction (whole plant) | 9.7 | Not assessed | Ali et al., 2015 |
| Senna obtusifolia (L.) H.S. Irwin & Barneby. (Leguminosae) | Buthanolic fraction (leaves) | 9.9 | Not assessed | Jung et al., 2016 |
| Zanthoxylum davyi Waterm. (Rutaceae) | Methanolic extract (roots) | 10 | Not assessed | Adewusi and Steenkamp, 2011 |
| Ziziphus mucronata Willd. (Rhamnaceae) | Ethyl acetate extract (root) | 11.2 | Not assessed | Adewusi and Steenkamp, 2011 |
| Morus alba L. (Moraceae) | Methanolic extract (root-bark) | 11.4 | Not assessed | Kuk et al., 2017 |
| Zanthoxylum davyi Waterm. (Rutaceae) | Ethyl acetate extract (roots) | 11.6 | Not assessed | Adewusi and Steenkamp, 2011 |
| Buchanania axillaris (Desr.) Ramamoorthy (Anacardiaceae) | Chloroform fraction (aerial parts) | 12.3 | Not assessed | Penumala et al., 2018 |
| Senna obtusifolia (L.) H.S. Irwin & Barneby. (Leguminosae) | Chloroform fraction (leaves) | 12.7 | Not assessed | Jung et al., 2016 |
| Morus alba L. (Moraceae) | Chloroform fraction (root-bark) | 13.4 | Not assessed | Kuk et al., 2017 |
| Angelica decursiva (Miq.) Franch. & Sav. (Apiaceae) | Chloroform fraction (whole plant) | 13.7 | Not assessed | Ali et al., 2015 |
| Senna obtusifolia (L.) H. S. Irwin & Barneby. (Leguminosae) | Aqueous fraction (leaves) | 14.5 | Not assessed | Jung et al., 2016 |
| Crinum bulbispermum (Burm. f.) Milne-Redh. & Schweick. (Amaryllidaceae) | Methanolic extract (bulb) | 14.8 | Not assessed | Adewusi and Steenkamp, 2011 |
| Scabiosa arenaria Forssk. (Caprifoliaceae) | Ethyl acetate fraction (stem and leaves) | 16 | Not assessed | Besbes Hlila et al., 2013 |
| Angelica decursiva (Miq.) Franch. & Sav. (Apiaceae) | Methanolic extract (whole plant) | 16.6 | Not assessed | Ali et al., 2015 |
| Berberis libanotica Ehrenb. ex C.K. Schneid. (Berberidaceae) | Methanolic fraction (root) | 16.9 | Not assessed | Bonesi et al., 2013 |
| Pavetta indica L. (Rubiaceae) | Methanolic extract (aerial parts) | 17.8 | Not assessed | Penumala et al., 2017 |
| Zephyranthes carinata Herb. (Amaryllidaceae) | Alkaloidal fraction (bulb) | 18.0 | Not assessed | Cortes et al., 2015 |
| Crinum jagus (J. Thomps.) Dandy (Amaryllidaceae) | Alkaloidal fraction (bulb) | 18.3 | ≤ 28.7 μg/mL | Cortes et al., 2015 |
| Adenia gummifera (Harv.) Harms (Passifloraceae) | Ethyl acetate extract (root) | 18.9 | Not assessed | Adewusi and Steenkamp, 2011 |
| Berberis libanotica Ehrenb. ex C.K. Schneid. (Berberidaceae) | Methanolic extract (root) | 21.7 | Not assessed | Bonesi et al., 2013 |
| Huperzia squarrosa (G. Forst.) Trevis. (Lycopodiaceae) | Ethyl acetate fraction (aerial parts) | 23.4 | Not assessed | Tung et al., 2017 |
| Berberis aetnensis C. Presl (Berberidaceae) | Alkaloidal fraction (root) | 24.5 | Not assessed | Bonesi et al., 2013 |
| Ochna obtusata DC. (Ochnaceae) | Chloroform fraction (aerial parts) | 25.7 | Not assessed | Penumala et al., 2017 |
| Gossypium herbaceum L. (Malvaceae) | Hydroalcoholic extracts (flowers) | 28.1 | Not assessed | Zhao et al., 2013 |
| Hippeastrum puniceum (Lam.) Voss. (Amaryllidaceae) | Alkaloid fraction (bulb) | 28.1 | ≤ 28.7 μg/mL | Cortes et al., 2015 |
| Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. ex Schult. (Apocynaceae) | Chloroform fraction (aerial part) | 28.1 | Not assessed | Penumala et al., 2018 |
| Scabiosa arenaria Forssk. (Caprifoliaceae) | Buthanolic fraction (stems and leaves) | 29.0 | Not assessed | Besbes Hlila et al., 2013 |
| Senna obtusifolia (L.) H.S. Irwin & Barneby. (Leguminosae) | Methanolic fraction (leaves) | 29.2 | Not assessed | Jung et al., 2016 |
| Morus alba L. (Moraceae) | Buthanolic fraction (root-bark) | 36.6 | Not assessed | Kuk et al., 2017 |
| Ficus sur Forssk. (Moraceae) | Ethyl acetate extract (fruit) | 31.9 | Not assessed | Adewusi and Steenkamp, 2011 |
| Rumex hastatus D. Don (Polygonaceae) | Essential Oils (aerial parts) | 32.5 | Not assessed | Ahmad et al., 2016 |
| Acalypha alnifolia Klein ex Willd. (Euphorbiaceae) | Chloroform fraction (aerial parts) | 32.9 | Not assessed | Penumala et al., 2017 |
| Olax nana Wall. ex Benth. (Olacaceae) | Methanolic extract (leaves) | 33.2 | Not assessed | Ovais et al., 2018 |
| Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (Nelumbonaceae) | Buthanolic fraction (leaves) | 33.2 | Not assessed | Jung et al., 2015 |
| Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Delarbre. (Polygonaceae)** | Hexanic fraction (whole plant) | 35.0 | Not assessed | Ayaz et al., 2014 |
| Berberis aetnensis C. Presl (Berberidaceae) | Hexanic fraction (root) | 36.5 | Not assessed | Bonesi et al., 2013 |
| Crinum bulbispermum (Burm. f.) Milne-Redh. & Schweick. (Amaryllidaceae) | Ethyl acetate extract (root) | 39.3 | Not assessed | Adewusi and Steenkamp, 2011 |
| Huperzia brevifolia (Grev. & Hook.) Holub (Lycopodiaceae) | Alkaloidal fraction (aerial parts) | 39.6 | Not assessed | Armijos et al., 2016 |
| Piper capense L. f. (Piperaceae) | Ethyl acetate extract (root) | 40.7 | Not assessed | Adewusi and Steenkamp, 2011 |
| Searsia mysorensis (G. Don) Moffett. (Anacardiaceae) | Chloroform fraction (aerial part) | 41.3 | Not assessed | Penumala et al., 2018 |
| Morus alba L. (Moraceae) | Aqueous fraction (root-bark) | 43.0 | Not assessed | Kuk et al., 2017 |
| Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. ex Schult. (Apocynaceae) | Methanolic extract (aerial part) | 48.6 | Not assessed | Penumala et al., 2018 |
| Huperzia squarrosa (G. Forst.) Trevis. (Lycopodiaceae) | Buthanolic fraction (aerial parts) | 50.1 | Not assessed | Tung et al., 2017 |
| Esenbeckia leiocarpa Engl. (Rutaceae) | Ethanolic extract (stems) | 50.7 | Not assessed | Cardoso-Lopes et al., 2010 |
| Scabiosa arenaria Forssk. (Caprifoliaceae) | Ethyl Acetate fraction (flowers) | 51.0 | Not assessed | Besbes Hlila et al., 2013 |
| Pavetta indica L. (Rubiaceae) | Chloroform fraction (aerial parts) | 52.1 | Not assessed | Penumala et al., 2017 |
| Polygonum hydropiper L. (Polygonaceae) | Chloroform fraction (whole plant) | 55.0 | Not assessed | Ayaz et al., 2014 |
| Acalypha alnifolia Klein ex Willd. (Euphorbiaceae) | Methanolic extrac (aerial parts) | 59.2 | Not assessed | Penumala et al., 2017 |
| Carpolobia lutea G. Don (Polygalaceae) | Chloroform fraction (leaves) | 60.0 | ≤ 100 μg/mL | Nwidu et al., 2017 |
| Pavetta indica L. (Rubiaceae) | Buthanolic fraction (aerial parts) | 60.1 | Not assessed | Penumala et al., 2017 |
| Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (Nelumbonaceae) | Ethylacetate fraction (leaves) | 61.1 | Not assessed | Jung et al., 2015 |
| Huperzia compacta (Hook.) Trevis. (Lycopodiaceae) | Alkaloid fraction (aerial parts) | 62.4 | Not assessed | Armijos et al., 2016 |
| Acalypha alnifolia Klein ex Willd. (Euphorbiaceae) | Aqueous fraction (aerial parts) | 64.8 | Not assessed | Penumala et al., 2017 |
| Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (Nelumbonaceae) | Chloroform fraction (leaves) | 67.3 | Not assessed | Jung et al., 2015 |
| Buchanania axillaris (Desr.) Ramamoorthy (Anacardiaceae) | Buthanolic fraction (aerial parts) | 67.5 | Not assessed | Penumala et al., 2018 |
| Scabiosa arenaria Forssk. (Caprifoliaceae) | Buthanolic fraction (flowers) | 74.0 | Not assessed | Besbes Hlila et al., 2013 |
| Rumex hastatus D. Don (Polygonaceae) | Chloroform fraction (whole plant) | 75.0 | Not assessed | Ahmad et al., 2015 |
| Scabiosa arenaria Forssk. (Caprifoliaceae) | Methanolic extract (flowers) | 80.0 | Not assessed | Besbes Hlila et al., 2013 |
| Carpolobia lutea G. Don (Polygalaceae) | Ethanolic fraction (leaves) | 81.0 | ≤ 100 μg/mL | Nwidu et al., 2017 |
| Ochna obtusata DC. (Ochnaceae) | Methanolic extrac (aerial parts) | 82.2 | Not assessed | Penumala et al., 2017 |
| Berberis libanotica Ehrenb. ex C.K. Schneid. (Berberidaceae) | Alkaloidal extract (root) | 82.4 | Not assessed | Bonesi et al., 2013 |
| Searsia mysorensis (G. Don) Moffett. (Anacardiaceae) | Buthanolic fraction (aerial part) | 83.5 | Not assessed | Penumala et al., 2018 |
| Searsia mysorensis (G. Don) Moffett. (Anacardiaceae) | Aqueous fraction (aerial part) | 93.7 | Not assessed | Penumala et al., 2018 |
| Berberis libanotica Ehrenb. ex C.K. Schneid. (Berberidaceae) | Hexanic extract (root) | 95.5 | Not assessed | Bonesi et al., 2013 |
| Jatropha gossypifolia L. (Euphorbiaceae) | Ethyl acetate fraction (leaves) | 95.7 | Not assessed | Saleem et al., 2016 |
| Polygonum hydropiper L. (Polygonaceae) | Aqueous fraction (whole plant) | 100.0 | Not assessed | Ayaz et al., 2014 |
| Pavetta indica L. (Rubiaceae) | Aqueous fraction (aerial parts) | 100.4 | Not assessed | Penumala et al., 2017 |
| Stemona sessilifolia (Miq.) Miq. (Stemonaceae) | Alkaloidal extracts (root) | 102.6 | Not assessed | Lai et al., 2013 |
| Huperzia squarrosa (G. Forst.) Trevis. (Lycopodiaceae) | Ethanolic extract (aerial parts) | 112.2 | Not assessed | Tung et al., 2017 |
| Hemidesmus indicus(L.) R. Br. ex Schult. (Apocynaceae) | Buthaolic fraction (aerial part) | 113.5 | Not assessed | Penumala et al., 2018 |
| Rumex hastatus D. Don (Polygonaceae) | Ethyl acetate fraction (whole plant) | 115.0 | Not assessed | Ahmad et al., 2015 |
| Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (Nelumbonaceae) | Aqueous fraction (leaves) | 119.6 | Not assessed | Jung et al., 2015 |
| Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Delarbre. (Polygonaceae)*** | Essential Oils (leaves) | 130.0 | Not assessed | Ayaz et al., 2015 |
| Hemidesmus indicus(L.) R. Br. ex Schult. (Apocynaceae) | Aqueous fraction (aerial part) | 129.4 | Not assessed | Penumala et al., 2018 |
| Buchanania axillaris (Desr.) Ramamoorthy (Anacardiaceae) | Aqueous fraction (aerial parts) | 136.2 | Not assessed | Penumala et al., 2018 |
| Carpolobia lutea G. Don (Polygalaceae) | Ethanolic extract (stem-bark) | 140.0 | ≤ 100 μg/mL | Nwidu et al., 2017 |
| Carpolobia lutea G. Don (Polygalaceae) | Hexanic fraction oil (stem) | 140.0 | ≤ 100 μg/mL | Nwidu et al., 2017 |
| Carpolobia lutea G. Don (Polygalaceae) | Methanolic fraction (stem) | 142.0 | ≤ 100 μg/mL | Nwidu et al., 2017 |
| Elatostema papillosum Wedd. (Urticaceae) | Methanolic extract (leaves) | 165.4 | Not assessed | Reza et al., 2018 |
| Scabiosa arenaria Forssk. (Caprifoliaceae) | Aqueous fraction (flowers) | 170 | Not assessed | Besbes Hlila et al., 2013 |
| Ochna obtusata DC. (Ochnaceae) | Buthanolic fraction (aerial parts) | 174.4 | Not assessed | Penumala et al., 2017 |
| Jatropha gossypifolia L. (Euphorbiaceae) | Dichloromethane extract (root) | 176.0 | Not assessed | Saleem et al., 2016 |
| Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (Nelumbonaceae) | Methanolic fraction (leaves) | 184.5 | Not assessed | Jung et al., 2015 |
| Rumex hastatus D. Don (Polygonaceae) | Methanolic extract (whole plant) | 218.0 | Not assessed | Ahmad et al., 2015 |
| Jatropha gossypifolia L. (Euphorbiaceae) | Methanolic extract (root) | 222.0 | Not assessed | Saleem et al., 2016 |
| Polygonum hydropiper L. (Polygonaceae) | Essential Oils (flowers) | 225.0 | Not assessed | Ayaz et al., 2015 |
| Scabiosa arenaria Forssk. (Caprifoliaceae) | Methanolic extract (stems and leaves) | 230.0 | Not assessed | Besbes Hlila et al., 2013 |
| Diplotaxis simplex Asch. ex Rohlfs (Brassicaceae) | Aqueous extract (seeds) | 233.0 | Not assessed | Bahloul et al., 2016 |
| Persicaria minor (Huds.) Opiz. (Polygonaceae)**** | Aqueous extract (leaves) | 234.0 | Not assessed | Ahmad et al., 2014 |
| Scabiosa arenaria Forssk. (Caprifoliaceae) | Buthanolic fraction (fruits) | 240.0 | Not assessed | Besbes Hlila et al., 2013 |
| Polygonum hydropiper L. (Polygonaceae) | Buthanolic fraction (whole plant) | 240.0 | Not assessed | Ayaz et al., 2014 |
| Huperzia squarrosa (G. Forst.) Trevis. (Lycopodiaceae) | Hexanic fraction (aerial parts) | 257.0 | Not assessed | Tung et al., 2017 |
| Acalypha alnifolia Klein ex Willd. (Euphorbiaceae) | Buthanolic fraction (aerial parts) | 257.5 | Not assessed | Penumala et al., 2017 |
| Atriplex laciniata L. (Amaranthaceae) | Aqueous fraction (whole plant) | 267.0 | Not assessed | Kamal et al., 2015 |
| Scabiosa arenaria Forssk. (Caprifoliaceae) | Methanolic extract (fruits) | 270.0 | Not assessed | Besbes Hlila et al., 2013 |
| Atriplex laciniata L. (Amaranthaceae) | Ethyl acetate fraction (whole plant) | 270.0 | Not assessed | Kamal et al., 2015 |
| Atriplex laciniata L. (Amaranthaceae) | Methanolic extract (whole plant) | 280.0 | Not assessed | Kamal et al., 2015 |
| Jatropha gossypifolia L. (Euphorbiaceae) | Dichloromethane extract (leaves) | 289.0 | Not assessed | Saleem et al., 2016 |
| Justicia adhatoda L. (Acanthaceae) | Methanolic extract (leaves) | 294.0 | Not assessed | Ali et al., 2013 |
| Polygonum hydropiper L. (Polygonaceae) | Ethyl acetate fraction (whole plant) | 310.0 | Not assessed | Ayaz et al., 2014 |
| Atriplex laciniata L. (Amaranthaceae) | Hexanic fraction (whole plant) | 310.0 | Not assessed | Kamal et al., 2015 |
| Diplotaxis harra (Forssk.) Boiss. (Brassicaceae) | Aqueous extract (seeds) | 313.0 | Not assessed | Bahloul et al., 2016 |
| Polygonum hydropiper L. (Polygonaceae) | Methanolic extract (whole plant) | 330.0 | Not assessed | Ayaz et al., 2014 |
| Polygonum minus Huds. (Polygonaceae) | Methanolic extract (leaves) | 342.8 | Not assessed | Ahmad et al., 2014 |
| Ochna obtusata DC. (Ochnaceae) | Aqueous fraction (aerial parts) | 369.1 | Not assessed | Penumala et al., 2017 |
| Atriplex laciniata L. (Amaranthaceae) | Chloroform fraction (whole plant) | 390.0 | Not assessed | Kamal et al., 2015 |
| Scabiosa arenaria Forssk. (Caprifoliaceae) | Aqueous fraction (stems and leaves) | 410.0 | Not assessed | Besbes Hlila et al., 2013 |
| Diplotaxis simplex Asch. ex Rohlfs (Brassicaceae) | Aqueous extract (flowers) | 420.0 | Not assessed | Bahloul et al., 2016 |
| Salsola vermiculata L. (Amaranthaceae) | Methanol extract (roots) | 450.0 | Not assessed | Rasheed et al., 2013 |
| Polygonum minus Huds. (Polygonaceae) | Dichloromethane extract (leaves) | 478.0 | Not assessed | Ahmad et al., 2014 |
| Scabiosa arenaria Forssk. (Caprifoliaceae) | Ethyl acetate fraction (fruits) | 500.0 | Not assessed | Besbes Hlila et al., 2013 |
| Polygonum minus Huds. (Polygonaceae) | Aqueous extract (stem) | 581.0 | Not assessed | Ahmad et al., 2014 |
| Salvia leriifolia Benth. (Lamiaceae) | Hexane fraction (leaves) | 590.0 | Not assessed | Loizzo et al., 2010 |
| Jacaranda caroba (Vell.) DC. (Bignoniaceae) | Aqueous extract (leaves) | 670.2 | Not assessed | Ferreres et al., 2013 |
| Polygonum minus Huds. (Polygonaceae) | Dichloromethane extract (leaves) | 770.0 | Not assessed | Ahmad et al., 2014 |
| Diplotaxis harra (Forssk.) Boiss. (Brassicaceae) | Aqueous extract (flowers) | 760.0 | Not assessed | Bahloul et al., 2016 |
| Polygonum minus Huds. (Polygonaceae) | Methanolic extract (stem) | 809.0 | Not assessed | Ahmad et al., 2014 |
| Salvia leriifolia Benth. (Lamiaceae) | Dichloromethane fraction (leaves) | 840.0 | Not assessed | Loizzo et al., 2010 |
| Salvia leriifolia Benth. (Lamiaceae) | Ehtyl acetate fraction (leaves) | 870.0 | Not assessed | Loizzo et al., 2010 |
| Rhizophora lamarckii Montrouz. (Rhizophoraceae) | Methanol extract (leaves) | 910.0 | Not assessed | Suganthy et al., 2009 |
| Polygonum minus Huds. (Polygonaceae) | Ethanolic extract (leaves) | 910.0 | Not assessed | Ahmad et al., 2014 |
| Polygonum minus Huds. (Polygonaceae) | Ethanolic extract (stem) | 930.0 | Not assessed | Ahmad et al., 2014 |
| Jacaranda caroba (Vell.) DC. (Bignoniaceae) | Hydromethanolic extracts (leaves) | 1000.4 | Not assessed | Ferreres et al., 2013 |
AChE, acetylcholinesterase; IC50, half maximal inhibition concentration.
*
Syn, Huperzia tetragona (Hook. & Grev.) Trevis.
**
Syn, Polygonum hydropiper L.
***
Syn, Polygonum hydropiper L.
****
Syn, Polygonum minus Huds.
#
Maximal concentration assessed for the absence of cytotoxicity.
Plant species and their respective extracts were classified in accordance with the criteria described at Section Plant Species With Anti-Acetylcholinesterase Activity in: high potency (green background), moderate potency (orange background), and low potency (red background).