Inhibitory effect of trans-N-p-coumaroyl tryamine from the twigs of Celtis chinensis on the acetylcholinesterase.

The methanolic extract of the twigs of Celtis chinensis was found to show inhibitory activity on acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an enzyme that plays a role in the metabolic hydrolysis of ACh. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the methanolic extract resulted in the isolation of N-p-coumaroyl tyramine, as an inhibitor on AChE. This compound inhibited AChE activity in a dose-dependent manner, and the IC50 value of trans-N-p-coumaroyl tyramine was 34.5 microg/mL (122 microM).