title: In vitro assessment of anticholinesterase and NADH oxidase inhibitory activities of an edible fern, Diplazium esculentum.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diplazium esculentum is the most commonly consumed edible fern throughout Asia and Oceania. Several studies have been performed so far to determine different functional properties of this plant, but there have been no reports on the anticholinesterase and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) oxidase inhibitory activities of this plant. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the anticholinesterase and NADH oxidase inhibitory activities of 70% methanolic extract of D. esculentum.
  
  
  METHODS
  The D. esculentum extract was investigated for its acetylcholinesterase and NADH oxidase inhibitory activities as well as its free radical scavenging and total antioxidant activities in the linoleic acid system. The free radical scavenging activity of the extract was determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) method. The total antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated by ferric thiocyanate (FTC) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The D. esculentum extract inhibited acetylcholinesterase and NADH oxidase in a dose-dependent manner, with IC50 values of 272.97±19.38 and 265.81±21.20 μg/mL, respectively. The extract also showed a potent DPPH radical scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 402.88±12.70 μg/mL. Moreover, the extract showed 27.41% and 33.22% of total antioxidant activities determined by FTC and TBA methods, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results indicated that 70% methanolic extract of D. esculentum effectively inhibited the enzymes acetylcholinesterase and NADH oxidase and acted as a potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger. These in vitro assays indicate that this plant extract is a significant source of natural antioxidants, which may be helpful in preventing the progression of various neurodegenerative disorders associated with oxidative stress.
authors.forename: Subhrajyoti
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.forename: Somit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dutta
authors.forename: Tapas Kumar
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Chaudhuri
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D009247:NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D029621:Polypodiaceae; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes; D010936:Plant Extracts; C023107:NADH oxidase; D009247:NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol