Screening of Habenaria plantaginea Lindl for anti-Alzheimer potential

Abstract

The present work reported the anti-Alzheimer potential of various extracts of the plant Habenaria plantaginea (Hp) of the Orchidaceae family. Preliminary screening of the crude methanolic extract revealed the presence of different phytochemicals such as alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, anthraquinones, oils, tannins, and terpenoids by employing protocols mentioned in literature. To ascertain the anti-Alzheimer potential of the Hp extracts various pharmacological assays were conducted. In AchE and BchE assays, HP-CHF exhibited the highest activity against both AchE and BchE with IC50 (μg/ml) values of 0.94 and 0.86, respectively, followed by crude extract with IC50 (μg/ml) values of 2.02 and 1.72, and ethyl acetate with IC50 (μg/ml) values of 3 and 2.90, respectively as compared to the standard Galantamine 0.54 μg/ml and 0.51 μg/ml. In beta-secretase (BACE1) inhibitory assay, evaluated on different fractions Hp.CHF exhibited the highest inhibitory activity against beta-secretase with IC50 value of 98 µg/ml.From the results of the study it can be concluded that the aforementioned plant has great potential to treat Alzheimer’s disease through multiple mechanisms. Hence, further studies are recommended on this potentially valuable plant to develop safe and effective treatment for AD.