Modulatory Effects of Alkaloid Extract from Gongronema latifolium (Utazi) and Lasianthera africana (Editan) on Activities of Enzymes Relevant to Neurodegeneration

ABSTRACTMost alkaloids are produced by plants as a defense mechanism against herbivores. Since alkaloids are known to possess pharmacological effects, this study sought to investigate the in vitro modulatory effect of alkaloid obtained from two commonly consumed vegetables in southern Nigeria, Lasianthera africana (editan) and Gongronema latifolium (utazi), on some enzyme activities relevant to neurodegeneration. Effects of the alkaloids on cholinesterases (acetylcholinesterase [AChE] and butyrylcholinesterase [BChE]) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) activities were determined in vitro. In addition, Fe2+ chelating ability as well as radical-scavenging abilities were determined. Alkaloid profile was also determined using gas chromatography coupled with flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The results revealed that the alkaloids inhibited AChE, BChE, and MAO activities in a concentration-dependent manner, such that the alkaloid from G. latifolium showed higher enzyme inhibition (AChE [IC50 = 87.39 µg/ml], BChE [I...