Screening for acetylcholinesterase inhibition and antioxidant activity of selected plants from Croatia.

The methanol, ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts of selected Croatian plants were tested for their acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition and antioxidant activity. Assessment of AChE inhibition was carried out using microplate reader at 1 mg mL⁻¹. Antioxidant capacities were determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging test and ferric reducing/antioxidant power assay (FRAP).

Comparison of chemical composition and free radical scavenging ability of glycosidically bound and free volatiles from Bosnian pine (Pinus heldreichii Christ. var. leucodermis).

The results obtained show that Bosnian pine is rich in glycosidically bound volatile compounds with strong free radical scavenging properties. Since volatiles can be released from nonvolatile glycoside precursors, these compounds can be considered as a hidden potential source of antioxidant substances and may contribute to the total free radical scavenging ability of Bosnian pine.

In vitro acetylcholinesterase inhibitory properties of thymol, carvacrol and their derivatives thymoquinone and thymohydroquinone.

The aim of this study was to examine in vitro the inhibitory activity exerted by the main constituents of essential oil obtained from the aromatic plant Thymus vulgaris L. on acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The total essential oil and selected compounds, specifically linalool and thymol, carvacrol and their derivatives thymoquinone and thymohydroquinone, were tested for AChE inhibition.