title: Screening of Korean herbal medicines used to improve cognitive function for anti-cholinesterase activity.
abstract: Methanolic extracts of seven herbs (Acorus calamus, Acorus gramineus, Bupleurm facaltum, Dioscorea batatas, Epimedium koreanum, Poria cocos and Zizyphi jujuba) used in traditional Korean medicine for improvement of memory and cognition in old age were tested for cholinesterase inhibitory properties using the Ellman colorimetric method. Significant inhibition of the enzyme at 200 microg/ml was observed for extracts from A. calamus and E. koreanum. The possible bases for the reputation of these and the other herbs tested are discussed in the light of previous investigations into their chemistry and biological activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Pharmacognosy Research Laboratories, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 8WA, UK.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Houghton
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Whang
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Cho
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D007723:Korea; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018517:Plant Roots; D010946:Plants, Medicinal
chemical_list: D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010938:Plant Oils; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase