Cryptotanshinone, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor from Salvia miltiorrhiza, ameliorates scopolamine-induced amnesia in Morris water maze task.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common form of dementia which is characterized by the deposition of amyloids in affected neurons and a cholinergic neurotransmission deficit in the brain. The current therapeutic intervention for AD is primarily based on the inhibition of brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) to restore the brain acetylcholine level. Cryptotanshinone (CT) is a diterpene extracted from the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza, a herb that is commonly prescribed in Chinese medicine to treat cardiovascular disease.