The antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory potential of methanol extract from Arnica montana cultivated in Bulgaria was evaluated. For the determination of antioxidant activity 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) di-ammonium salt (ABTS) free radicals, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay were used. | Turk J Biol 36 (2012) 732-737 © TÜBİTAK doi: Antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory potential of Arnica montana cultivated in Bulgaria Dimitrina ZHELEVA-DIMITROVA, Vessela BALABANOVA Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University Sofia, Dunav Str. 2, 1000 Sofia − BULGARIA Received: ● Accepted: Abstract: The antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory potential of methanol extract from Arnica montana cultivated in Bulgaria was evaluated. For the determination of antioxidant activity 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) di-ammonium salt (ABTS) free radicals, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay were used. Modified Ellman’s colorimetric method was used for quantitative assessment of acetylcholinesterase inhibition potential. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and galantamine hydrobromide were used as positive controls, respectively. In addition, total polyphenols and tannins, flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic derivatives, and sesquiterpene lactones were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, AlCl3, Na2MoO4, and m-dinitrobenzene, respectively. The results demonstrated that Arnica extract has strong antioxidant activity and moderate ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase. Total polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic derivatives, and sesquiterpene lactones were: ± mg g−1, ± mg g−1, ± mg g−1, ± mg g−1, and ± mg g−1 respectively. Therefore, A. montana is a powerful natural source of antioxidants and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and could be useful in therapy for free radical pathologies and neurodegenerative disorders. Key words: Arnica montana, antioxidant activity, acetylcholinesterase inhibition, phenolic compounds Introduction Arnica montana L. (Asteraceae) is a valuable medicinal plant, and it has been used for centuries for its strong anti-inflammatory
