Inhibitory activity of Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and Antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of Desmodium gangeticum (L.)

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition and antioxidant activity are considered to be highly correlated with Alzheimer’s disease treatment. The present study was designed to investigate the antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of Desmodium gangeticum L. Properly identified powdered plant material was extracted successively using methanol as a solvent. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity was measured with modified Ellman method at 405 nm and antioxidant activity measured based on 1, 1- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) free radical scavenging test at 517 nm. Percentage inhibition for AChE ranged from 28.78±0.12 to 40.83±0.05 whereas DPPH radical scavenging percentage ranged from 24.68±0.72 to 42.22±0.67.