In-vitro Assessment of Cholinesterase Inhibitory, Antioxidant and Thrombolytic Activity of Citrus macroptera fruit extracts

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, and the most predominant cause of dementia in the elderly. Traditionally Citrus macroptera (L.) has widely been used as antioxidant source. Our aim is to investigate the cholinesterase inhibitory activities, antioxidant properties as well as thrombolytic properties of the fruits pulp and peel extracts in the treatment of AD and clotting disorders. The crude methanol extract was prepared by cold extraction method and was assessed for acetyl cholinesterase and butyryl cholinesterase inhibitory activity by the Ellman method; their antioxidant properties were assessed by several assays including reducing power, scavenging of DPPH and hydroxyl radicals together with quantitative analysis of endogenous substances. Its thrombolytic potential activity is determined by clot lysis method. Quantitative analysis displayed higher contents of phenolics and flavonoids in the crude methanolic fraction. The results revealed that the ethyl acetate extract, possibly due to its phenolic compounds, exerts potential antioxidant and cholinesterase inhibitory activities which may be useful in the treatment of AD. But in case of thrombolytic property it seems not so potential at all.