Chemical constituents from fruits of Vahl ex. DC (Connaraceae) and evaluation of their anticholinesterase and antiradical activities.

The phytochemical investigation of the DCM/MeOH (1:1) extract of the fruits of led to the isolation and characterization of one new quinic acid derivative, ferruginoic acid (), together with six known compounds . Compounds were reported for the first time from this species. The structures of compounds - were elucidated on the basis of 1 D and 2 D NMR spectroscopic data, mass spectrometry and by comparison of spectroscopic data with those from the literature. The anticholinesterase (AChE and BChE) activity and DPPH free radical scavenging assay of compounds , , and were evaluated. Ferruginoic acid () exhibited moderate anticholinesterase activity with IC value of 36.18 ± 1.78 µg/mL against AChE. Compounds and showed high activity against free radical (DPPH) scavenging assay (DPPH) with IC values 40.09 ± 0.96 µg/mL, 61.70 ± 0.78 µg/mL and 41.87 ± 0.62 µg/mL respectively. These results indicate that and its constituents could be employed in the management of Alzheimer's disease.