Evaluation of the Ache Inhibitory Capacity of a Hydroalcoholic Extract of Amazonian Grape (Pourouma Cecropiifolia)

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease represents the leading cause of dementia, severely affecting millions of patients worldwide. Pharmacological treatment consists of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, improving the cognitive symptoms associated with this pathology. Pourouma cecropiifolia has great nutritional value due to its high concentration of carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. The aim of the study was to evaluate the AChE inhibitory capacity of a hydroalcoholic extract of Pourouma cecropiifolia (EHPC). This was a cross-sectional and prospective study. To obtain the seeds of Pourouma cecropiifolia, its fruits were manually pulped, the seeds were dried at 40ºC ± 2 for 48h, then the seed was freed from its rind and crushed until a fine powder was obtained. To 8 g of seeds, a mixture of solvents, ethanol: water (3:1) in a 1:10 ratio, was added in an ultrasonic bath (Ultrasons HD, JP Selecta) with a fixed power of (180W) at 50ºC, for 20 minutes with periodic agitation. The filtrate was concentrated under vacuum until the total volume of the solvent was reduced, then freeze-dried and stored in dark bottles. Total phenols, determination of in vitro antioxidant activity (ABTS and DPPH) and evaluation of acetylcholinesterase inhibition were estimated. The evaluated extract showed high values of antioxidant activity, attributed to high concentration of phenolic compounds. The findings suggest that Pourouma cecropiifolia extract has great potential as a possible inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase enzymatic activity.