Two Ceramides from Tanacetum artemesioides

Tanacetum artemisioides, a pale green annual shrub with several branches from the woody rootstock, grows in different parts of Pakistan [1]. The genus Tanacetum has several important medicinal applications. Some of its species such as T. parthenium have been used traditionally in the treatment of migraine and arthritis; T. vulgare has beneficial effects in gastroduodenal diseases while T. microphyllum is used in Spanish folk medicine for ulcer and inflammatory conditions [2]. These medicinal properties prompted us to carry out a phytochemical investigation of Tanacetum artemisioides. Our current study has led to the isolation of two new ceramides 1 and 2 which have also been found to be promising acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors. The enzyme acetylcholinesterase (acetycholine degrading enzyme) has long been an attractive target for rational drug therapy for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It is believed that AD develops due to decreased level of acetylcholine in the brain [3 – 4]. The inhibition of its metabolizing enzyme (AChE) boosts the endogenous levels of acetylcholine in the brain and thereby, enhances cholinergic neurotransmission. The AChE inhibiting properties of the compounds 1 and 2 could make them good candidates for the development of AD therapeutics.