On-Line Inhibition Study of Immobilised Acetylcholinesterase by Aqueous Extracts of Momordica charantia (Bitter Melon)

Abstract

Momordica charantia (MC) also known as bitter melon is commonly used as a folk medicine in most parts of South Asia. The role of MC in diabetes is of great importance because it lowers blood sugar and delays diabetic complications. Anti-diabetic activity of MC is relatively well known, literature for its anti-acetylcholinesterase (anti-AChE) activity is rarely available which has provided us a scope to explore its anti-AChE activity. In this study, we have used flow injection (FI) technique with immobilized enzyme column for AChE inhibition study by four different aqueous extracts. Results show that untreated pulp extract (MCPu) with [IC₅₀ = 7.2 mg/mL] acquires stronger anti-AChE activity whereas, MCPt (treated pulp extract) and MCFu (untreated flesh extract) showed almost similar action against AChE activity [IC₅₀ =14 and 15 mg/mL, respectively] while MCFt (treated flesh extract) showed weaker action against AChE activity [IC₅₀ =26 mg/mL].