Medicinal plants with cholinesterase inhibitory activity and their applications

Cholinesterase catalyzes the hydrolysis of acetylcholine in the synapse, into choline and acetic acid, a reaction necessary to return the cholinergic neuron in the central and peripheral nervous systems, to the resting potential after activation. The cholinesterase enzyme inactivation, or inhibition induced by various inhibitors, leads to accumulation of acetylcholine, and subsequent hyper-stimulation of nicotinic and muscarinic receptors. Hence, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, are applied as relevant drugs and toxins. The current review highlighted the medicinal plants with cholinesterase inhibitory effects.