Neuroprotective activities of boophone haemanthoides (amaryllidaceae) extract and its chemical constituents

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative condition that progresses as age increases, and some of itsmajor symptoms include tremor and postural andmovement-related difficulties. To date, the treatment of PD remains a challenge because available drugs only treat the symptoms of the disease or possess serious side effects. In light of this, new treatment options are needed; hence, this study investigates the neuroprotective effects of an organicBoophone haemanthoides extract (BHE) andits bioactive compounds using an in vitromodel of PD involving the toxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium(MPP+) and SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. A total of seven compounds were isolated from BHE, viz distichamine (1), 1 ,3 -diacetylnerbowdine (2), hippadine (3), stigmast-4-ene-3,6-dione (4), cholest-4-en-3-one (5), tyrosol (6), and 3-hydroxy-1-(40-hydroxyphenyl)-1-propanone (7). Six compounds (1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7) were investigated, and five showed neuroprotection alongside the BHE. This study gives insight into the bioactivity of the non-alkaloidal constituents of Amaryllidaceae, since the isolated compounds and the BHE showed improved cell viability, increased ATP generation in the cells as well as inhibition of MPP+-induced apoptosis. Together, these findings support the claim that the Amaryllidaceae plant family could be a potential reserve of bioactive compounds for the discovery of neuroprotective agents.