Screening for acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity in cyanobacteria of the genus Nostoc

J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem. 2009 Apr;24(2):531-6. doi: 10.1080/14756360802234836.

Abstract

Fifty-four cyanobacterial strains of the genus Nostoc from different habitats were screened for acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. Water-methanolic extracts from freeze-dried biomasses were tested for inhibitory activity using Ellman's spectrophotometric method. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity higher than 90% was found in the crude extracts of Nostoc sp. str. Lukesova 27/97 and Nostoc ellipsosporum Rabenh. str. Lukesova 51/91. Extracts from Nostoc ellipsosporum str. Lukesova 52/91 and Nostoc linckia f. muscorum (Ag.) Elenk. str. Gromov, 1988, CALU-980 inhibited AChE activity by 84.9% and 65.3% respectively. Moderate AChE inhibitory activity (29.1-37.5%) was found in extracts of Nostoc linckia Roth. str. Gromov, 1962/10, CALU-129, Nostoc muscorum Ag. str. Lukesova 127/97, Nostoc sp. str. Lhotsky, CALU-327 and Nostoc sp. str. Gromov, CALU-998. Extracts from another seven strains showed weak anti-AChE activities. The active component responsible for acetylcholinesterase inhibition was identified in a crude extract of Nostoc sp. str. Lukesova 27/97 using HPLC and found to occur in one single peak.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholinesterase / metabolism*
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Cyanobacteria / chemistry
  • Cyanobacteria / metabolism
  • Nostoc / chemistry*
  • Nostoc / classification
  • Nostoc / metabolism

Substances

  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors
  • Acetylcholinesterase