Chemical profile, acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and prolyl oligopeptidase inhibitory activity of Glaucium corniculatum subsp. refractum

Abstract Papaveraceae is one of the prominent alkaloid-containing families, and plants of the genus Glaucium (Papaveraceae) are known for their bioactive alkaloids. Glaucium species have been used in traditional medicine in Turkey as an analgesic, narcotic, sedative, and antitussive. In this study, it was planned to evaluate the inhibitory activity of an alkaloidal extract of Glaucium corniculatum subsp. refractum on acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) and prolyl oligopeptidase (POP), as well as exploring the chemical profile of the plant by using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The AChE, BuChE and POP inhibition activities of the alkaloidal extract of G. corniculatum subsp. refractum were determined spectrophotometrically. A rapid GC-MS method was used to identify alkaloids that could be responsible for these inhibition activities. In total, eleven alkaloids were identified in the alkaloid extract of the plant by GC-MS. Allocyptopine (52.92%) and protopine (25.38%) were found as the major constituents. The alkaloidal extract of G. corniculatum subsp. refractum showed potent AChE inhibitory activity (IC50:1.25 µg/mL) and BuChE inhibitory activity (IC50: 7.02 µg/mL). The extract also showed a remarkable inhibitory effect on POP with an IC50 value of 123.69 µg/mL. This study presents the first GC-MS investigation and POP inhibitory activity of G. corniculatum subsp. refractum.

Application of HPLC-DAD for the quantification of Lycorine in Galanthus elwesii Hook

ABSTRACT In the present study, a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been used for the quantitative determination of lycorine in the aerial parts and bulbs of G. elwesii Hook. A simple method for the extraction of lycorine in low mass plant samples was employed utilizing pre-packed columns with diatomaceous earth (Extrelut(r)). The chromatographic separation was performed using an isocratic system with a mobile phase of trifluoroacetic acid-water-acetonitrile (0.01:92.5:7.5, v/v/v) applied at a flow rate 1 mL min-1 using diode array detector. The content of lycorine in the bulbs and aerial parts of G. elwesii collected from Demirci (Manisa) was found as 0.130 and 0.162 %, respectively. Additionally, in the bulbs of the specimens collected from Sogucak (Balikesir), lycorine was quantified as 0.055 %, whereas in the aerial parts, it was determined as 0.006 %. The method was validated partially with respect to system specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision, limits of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ). Validation procedures displayed that the method was specific, accurate and precise.

Quantititative determination of lycorine and galanthamine in Galanthus trojanus and G. cilicicus by HPLC-DAD.

Lycorine and galanthamine have various biological activities. A reliable HPLC method coupled with DAD detection was developed and validated for the determination of galanthamine and lycorine in Galanthus trojanus and G. cilicicus. A simple method for the extraction of the alkaloids in low-mass plant samples was employed utilizing columns pre-packed with diatomaceous earth (Extrelut). This method was applied to the aerial parts and bulbs of G. trojanus and G. cilicicus (Amaryllidaceae) collected during the flowering season. The chromatographic separation was performed using an isocratic system with a mobile phase of trifluoroacetic acid-water-acetonitrile (0.01:92.5:7.5) applied at a flow rate of 1 mL min(-1) and using a diode array detector. Validation procedures showed that the method was specific, accurate and precise. The highest amount of lycorine (0.012%) was detected in the bulbs of G. trojanus collected from Can (Canakkale), whereas the aerial parts of this species collected from Bayramiç (Canakkale) was not found to contain this alkaloid. In G. cilicicus samples, lycorine was only determined in the bulbs, giving yields of 0.004%; galanthamine yields were between 0.015-0.016%, but none of the G. trojanus samples contained this latter alkaloid.

GC-MS investigation and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of Galanthus rizehensis.

GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) analyses of alkaloids in the aerial parts and bulbs of Galanthus rizehensis Stern (Amaryllidaceae), collected during two different vegetation periods, was performed. Twenty three alkaloids were identified in four different alkaloid extracts. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities of the alkaloid extracts were tested. Both the highest alkaloid diversity and the most potent inhibitory activity (IC50 12.94 microg/ml) were obtained in extracts from the bulbs of G. rizehensis collected during the fruiting period.

GC-MS investigation of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids in Galanthus xvalentinei nothosubsp. subplicatus.

A GC-MS analysis of alkaloids in the aerial parts and bulbs of Galanthus xvalentinei nothosubsp. subplicatus was performed for the first time. Totally, twenty-six alkaloids were identified, of which tazettine and galanthindole were the major ones. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of the alkaloidal extracts was determined using modified in vitro Ellman's method. Significant anticholinesterase activity was observed in the tested samples (bulbs: IC50 = 21.3 microg/mL, aerial parts: IC50 = 16.3 microg/mL).

HPLC - DAD analysis of lycorine in Amaryllidaceae species.

Lycorine, the most frequent alkaloid found in Amaryllidaceae plants, has been proven to have various biological activities. Therefore, it is important to quantify this compound in Amaryllidacaeae species. In this study, a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been used and validated for the determination of lycorine in Amaryllidaceae plants. A simple method for the extraction of lycorine in low-mass plant samples was employed utilizing columns pre-packed with diatomaceous earth (Extrelut). This method was applied to the aerial parts and bulbs of Sternbergia sicula Tineo ex Guss., S. lutea (L.) Ker-Gawl. ex Sprengel and Pancratium maritimum L. (Amaryllidaceae) collected during two different vegetation periods. The chromatographic separation was performed using an isocratic system with a mobile phase of trifluoroacetic acid-water-acetonitrile (0.01:90:10) applied at a flow rate 1 mL min(-1) using diode array detector. Validation procedures showed that the method was specific, accurate and precise. The amount of lycorine in S. sicula samples ranged between 0.10-0.53%, whereas in those of S. lutea and P. maritimum, the range was 0.19-0.40% and 0.05-0.14%, respectively.