Isoquinoline Alkaloids from Berberis vulgaris as Potential Lead Compounds for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

J Nat Prod. 2019 Feb 22;82(2):239-248. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.8b00592. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Abstract

Three new alkaloids, bersavine (3), muraricine (4), and berbostrejdine (8), together with seven known isoquinoline alkaloids (1-2, 5-7, 9, and 10) were isolated from an alkaloidal extract of the root bark of Berberis vulgaris. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR techniques, HRMS, and optical rotation, and by comparison of the obtained data with those in the literature. The NMR data of berbamine (5), aromoline (6), and obamegine (7) were completely assigned employing 2D NMR experiments. Alkaloids isolated in sufficient amounts were evaluated for their in vitro acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), prolyl oligopeptidase, and glycogen synthase kinase-3β inhibitory activities. Selected compounds were studied for their ability to permeate through the blood-brain barrier. Significant human BuChE ( hBuChE) inhibitory activity was demonstrated by 6 (IC50 = 0.82 ± 0.10 μM). The in vitro data were further supported by computational analysis that showed the accommodation of 6 in the active site of hBuChE.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholinesterase / metabolism*
  • Alkaloids / chemistry
  • Alkaloids / isolation & purification*
  • Alkaloids / therapeutic use
  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy*
  • Berberis / chemistry*
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / drug effects
  • Butyrylcholinesterase / metabolism*
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Isoquinolines / chemistry
  • Isoquinolines / isolation & purification*
  • Isoquinolines / therapeutic use
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Plant Exudates / analysis

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors
  • Isoquinolines
  • Plant Exudates
  • Acetylcholinesterase
  • Butyrylcholinesterase