Cholinesterase Inhibitory Potential of Selected Libyan Medicinal Plants

Abstract

Cholinesterase inhibitors are essential therapeutic agents in the management of neurodegenerative disorders, particularly Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study evaluates the inhibitory effects of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) using extracts from ten Libyan medicinal plants with varying antioxidant capacities. The selected species include Camellia sinensis, Myrtus communis, Alhagi maurorum, Urginea maritima, Olea europaea, Matricaria chamomilla, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Quercus robur, Syzygium aromaticum, and Zingiber officinale. Hot- and cold-water extracts were prepared following traditional Libyan practices, and their cholinesterase inhibitory activity was assessed using spectrophotometric analysis. The plant extracts demonstrated diverse levels of inhibitory potency, with Camellia sinensis and Syzygium aromaticum showing the strongest inhibition toward both enzymes. These findings highlight the potential of several Libyan medicinal plants as promising natural sources of cholinesterase inhibitors for supporting AD management and other neurodegenerative conditions.