Neuroprotective Activity of Catharanthus roseus Ethanol Extract by Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition and Neurite Outgrowth Studies

Aims: To investigate biological activities for neuroprotective effect of Catharanthus roseus.

Methodology: Catharanthus roseus was identified using DNA barcoding, utilizing matK, trnH-psbA, and rbcL markers. Additionally, thin-layer chromatography (TLC) method was used to analyze the phytochemistry compounds present in the C. roseus extracts. Moreover, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition activity was tested using a modified Ellman’s method. Finally, neurite outgrowth activity was determined in rat glial C6 cells treated with varying concentrations of C. roseus extracts.

Results: Overall, the plant samples which were collected in Laocai, Vietnam were successfully identified through DNA barcoding regions, using trnH-psbA, matK, and rbcL genes. Phytochemical analysis detected the presence of sterols, terpenoids, flavonoids, polyphenolic in the ethanol extract and its fraction from C. roseus. Additionally, the extracts of C. roseus displayed remarkably high acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. Moreover, the ethanol extract of C. roseus shown the most potent neurotrophic activity in a preliminary cell-based screening based on C6 cells neurite outgrowth.

Conclusion: These results demonstrate that Catharanthus roseus could be a strong candidate for developing pharmacological drugs to treat neurodegenerative diseases.