Pharmacological Evaluation of Green Chilli in Alzheimer’s Disease

Pandurangan Perumal; Desmond Yong Hua Chong

Pharmacological Evaluation of Green Chilli in Alzheimer’s Disease

Articles

Abstract

Pharmacognosy Research,2022,14,1,61-70.

DOI:10.5530/pres.14.1.10

Published:December 2021

Type:Research Article

Authors:

Author(s) affiliations:

Pandurangan Perumal¹,*Desmond Yong Hua Chong²

¹Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Sree Vidyanikethan College of Pharmacy, Tirupathi, Andrapradesh, INDIA.

¹Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Asian Institute of Medicine Science Technology (AIMST ) University, Bedong, Kedah DarulAman, MALAYSIA.

Abstract:

Background: Green chilli pepper (Capsicum annum L. car frutescens) is popular as a spice used in many cuisines across the world. Capsaicin, as the pharmacologically active composition of chilli pepper, has been shown to possess antioxidant, local analgesic, and hypoglycemic effects according to many studies conducted on the red chilli pepper. However, there is no data associated with the role of green chilli peppers in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) caused by capsaicin, rather than red chilli peppers. Objectives: To evaluate the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and beta-secretase enzyme inhibition of ethanolic extract of Capsicum frutescens (EECF) or known as green chilli in in-vitro manner. Materials and Methods: Extraction was carried out on the fruits of Capsicum frutescens with ethanol. Its ethanolic extract in different concentrations was applied as the analyte to test its anti-acetylcholinesterase activity and enzymatic inhibitory action on the beta-secretase. Donepezil with various concentrations was also prepared as the control set for comparison of effect with EECF. Both the analytes were tested using the QuantiChrom^TMand BACE-1 FRET assay kits, for evaluation of inhibition activity against acetylcholinesterase and BACE-1 respectively. Results: There is significant increase in the percentage of inhibition against acetylcholinesterase and BACE-1 when tested with increased concentration of EECF. Compared to inhibitory effects by EECF, donepezil exhibited higher values of IC₅₀ against both the assayed key enzymes, though also demonstrated vital inhibitory actions in both assays. EECF also showed higher potency in controlling AD progression in terms of inhibition against acetylcholinesterase, shown by IC50 value for the acetylcholinesterase, if compared to IC₅₀ value for BACE-1. Conclusion: Green chilli or EECF has potential to have inhibitory action on acetylcholinesterase and beta-secretase enzymes in patients with AD, but limited to optimum concentration or dose.