Chemical composition of Helietta parvifolia and its in vitro anticholinesterase activity

The chemical composition of the essential oil and the n-hexane (Hex), Ethyl Acetate (EtOAc) and butanol (BuOH) extracts from the leaves of Helietta parvifolia were determined by detailed GC-MS analysis, spectroscopic and spectrometric data. Eighty-four compounds were identified, revealing a furoquinoline alkaloid-rich composition. The phytochemical analysis of the extracts allowed the isolation of eigth furoquinoline alkaloids. Retention indices in GC-MS for six of this alkaloids are reported for the first time. Furoquinoline alkaloids are acethylcholinesterase inhibitors. Thus, the essential oil and extracts were submitted to this in vitro assay. The EtOAc and BuOH extracts showed potent activity, with IC₅₀ of 9.7 and 12.9 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. Additionaly, a correlation of their chemical constituents, established by principal component analysis (PCA) demostrated a similar profile and a high content of alkaloids. It is for these reasons that we can assume that the alkaloid content in these extracts could be responsible for their anticholinesterase activity.