Antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory potential of Arnica montana cultivated in Bulgaria

The antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory potential of methanol extract from Arnica montana cultivated in Bulgaria was evaluated. For the determination of antioxidant activity 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) di-ammonium salt (ABTS) free radicals, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay were used. Modified Ellman’s colorimetric method was used for quantitative assessment of acetylcholinesterase inhibition potential. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and galantamine hydrobromide were used as positive controls, respectively. In addition, total polyphenols and tannins, flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic derivatives, and sesquiterpene lactones were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, AlCl3, Na2MoO4, and m-dinitrobenzene, respectively. The results demonstrated that Arnica extract has strong antioxidant activity and moderate ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase. Total polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic derivatives, and sesquiterpene lactones were: 468.46 ± 4.03 mg g−1, 362.09 ± 2.81 mg g−1, 25.48 ± 1.44 mg g−1, 76.76 ± 6.58 mg g−1, and 14.69 ± 0.76 mg g−1 respectively. Therefore, A. montana is a powerful natural source of antioxidants and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and could be useful in therapy for free radical pathologies and neurodegenerative disorders.