Evaluation of In Vitro Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Potential in Ficus adenosperma Warb. Leaf Extracts Using the Ellman Method

Alzheimer's disease involves progressive loss of nerve cell function and affected about 50 million people worldwide in 2018, a figure projected to triple by 2050. Current acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors cause nausea and gastrointestinal disturbance, so natural alternatives are being sought. This study evaluated the AChE inhibitory activity of Ficus adenosperma Warb. leaf extracts prepared by sequential reflux extraction with n-hexane, ethyl acetate and ethanol, using the Ellman assay. The n-hexane extract yielded the highest total phenolic content (43.85 ± 3.48 mg GAE/g extract), while the ethyl acetate extract showed the highest total flavonoid content (114.27 ± 10.59 mg QE/g extract) and the greatest AChE inhibitory activity (IC50 = 1776 μg/mL). Pearson correlation analysis showed a positive but statistically non-significant association between total flavonoid content and AChE inhibition (r = 0.99, p = 0.10, n = 3). These preliminary findings suggest that flavonoids may contribute to the observed in vitro inhibition.