Enzyme inhibition, antioxidant and antibacterial potential of vasicine isolated from Adhatoda vasica Nees.

Vasicine (1) was isolated from the ethanolic extract of Adhatoda vasica Nees (Acanthaceae) and the structure was confirmed using spectroscopic techniques. Acetylcholine esterase, trypsin, DPPH inhibition potential and FRAP assay were carried out using in vitro models. The results showed 38.4 ± 1.2% and 37.4 ± 1.1% activity in acetylcholine and trypsin inhibition assays respectively. The compound (1) exhibited significant DPPH inhibition activity (70.4 ± 1.3%, IC(50) = 212.3 ± 1.9 μM). A dose dependant behavior of vasicine (1), was indicated in the FRAP assay. Antibacterial activity was checked according to agar well diffusion assay and results revealed that vasicine (1) showed moderate activity.