Caracterización fitoquímica y evaluación de actividad inhibitoria sobre acetilcolinesterasa de hojas de piper pesaresanum C. DC

Introduction: The genus Piper, from the Piperaceae family, has great economic importance, due to its uses on a nutritional, industrial and medicinal level. The species in this genus are commonly known as peppers, and are characterized by a broad range of biological activities, including a neuroprotective effect associated with the treatment of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. Many of the species growing in Colombia have not been studied. Such is the case with Piper pesaresanum C. DC. Objective: Carry out a chemical and biological characterization of the ethanolic extract of P. pesaresanum leaves by means of a bioguided phytochemical study and evaluate inhibitory activity on acetylcholinesterase. Methods: A bioguided chemical study was conducted of the ethanolic extract of P. pesarenasum mature leaves to isolate and identify the substances responsible for inhibitory activity on acetylcholinesterase. Evaluation of inhibitory activity on acetylcholinesterase was based on direct autography using the Ellman method. Preliminary phytochemical screening was also performed by means of wet color and precipitation tests, and thin-layer chromatography. Results: Preliminary phytochemical analysis suggests the presence of terpenes, steroids, phenols and coumarins. Evaluation of inhibitory activity on acetylcholinesterase revealed clear-cut inhibition areas in petroleum ether (PE) and chloroform (CHCl3) fractions. The bioguided phytochemical study led to isolation and identification of 4-methoxy-3.5-di(3’-methyl-2’-butenyl) benzoic acid for the first time in the study species. Conclusions: Chemical study and evaluation of the biological activity of the species P. pesaresanum led to identification of 4-methoxy-3.5-di(3’-methyl-2’-butenyl) benzoic acid as one of the compounds responsible for inhibitory activity on acetylcholinesterase.