Determination of cholinesterase inhibition potential of rose extract

Rosa Damascena Mill., also known as oil rose or rose of Isparta, is one of the most important roses among the fragrant roses in the world. The essential oil obtained from Isparta rose is used especially in cosmetics, perfumery, pharmaceutical and food industries. Isparta rose is traditionally used in the treatment of chest and abdominal pain, strengthening of the heart, constipation, digestive problems and is used in the treatment of neural diseases. Although pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has not been clarified as yet, one of the most accepted theories has been ‘‘cholinergic hypothesis”. A deficiency in levels of the neuromediators called acetylcholine (ACh) and butyrylcholine (BCh) has been observed in the brains of AD patients. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), the main enzymes which hydrolyze ACh and BCh, respectively, has happen a major treatment option towards AD. So, we initiated a study to screen their AChE and BChE inhibitory activities, which are the key enzymes taking place in pathogenesis of AD. For this purpose, we investigated the effects of rose water on these enzymes. IC50 values were determined as 0.6227 µg ml-1 for AChE and 0.1956 μg/ml for BChE