This study sought to investigate the anticholinesterase and antioxidative properties of quercetin and its glycosylated conjugate, rutin. The in vitro inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activities, inhibition of Fe(2+)-induced lipid peroxidation in rat's brain homogenates, radicals scavenging, and Fe(2+)-chelating abilities of the flavonoids were investigated in vitro with concentrations of the samples ranging from 0.06 to 0.6 mM. Quercetin had significantly higher AChE and BChE inhibitory abilities than rutin. Quercetin also had stronger inhibition of Fe(2+)-induced lipid peroxidation in rat's brain homogenates. Similarly, quercetin had higher radical scavenging abilities than rutin. Quercetin also had stronger Fe(2+)-chelating ability than rutin. The inhibition of cholinesterases and antioxidative properties are possible mechanisms by which the flavonoids can be used in the management of oxidative stress-induced neurodegeneration.
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; acetylcholinesterase; antioxidant; butyrylcholinesterase.
© The Author(s) 2015.