Acetylcholinesterase inhibition, antioxidant activity and toxicity of Peumus boldus water extracts on HeLa and Caco-2 cell lines

This work aimed to study the inhibition on acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE), the antioxidant activity and the toxicity towards Caco-2 and HeLa cells of aqueous extracts of Peumus Boldus. An IC50 value of 0.93 mg/mL, for AChE inhibition, and EC50 of 18.7 μg/mL, for the antioxidant activity, was determined. This activity can be attributed to glycosylated flavonoid derivatives detected, which were the main compounds, although boldine and other aporphine derivatives were also present. No changes in the chemical composition or the biochemical activities were found after gastrointestinal digestion. Toxicity of P. boldus decoction gave an IC50 value 0.66 mg/mL for HeLa cells, which caused significant changes in the cell proteome profile.

Highlights► Peumus boldus aqueous extract contains flavonoid derivatives as major components. ► P. boldus aqueous extract have boldine and other aporphine compounds as minor components. ► The extract has mild anti-acetylcholinesterase and high antioxidant activity. ► The biochemical activity stays unchanged through the gastrointestinal tract digestion. ► The extract is toxic to HeLa cells causing a change in the cell proteomic profile.