Anti-Amyloidogenic and Cyclooxygenase Inhibitory Activity of Guettarda speciosa

Abstract

<i>Guettarda speciosa</i> is known in traditional folk medicine for treating cough, cold, sore throat, fever, wounds, epilepsy, and headaches. To discover the scientific pharmacological potential of <i>G. speciosa</i>, we explore its anti-inflammatory, cytotoxicity, and inhibition of amyloid-<i>beta</i> (Aβ) aggregation effects. Cyclooxygenase assay of the <i>G. speciosa</i> CHCl₃ (GSC) extract and <i>G. speciosa</i> MeOH (GSM) extract are more selective to COX-1 inhibition with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 3.56 μg/mL for the GSC extract and 4.98 μg/mL for the GSM extract. Neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y inhibition and thioflavin T assay amyloid-<i>beta</i> (Aβ) aggregate inhibition of the GSM and GSC extracts showed their potential therapeutic effects against Alzheimer's disease. The putative compounds from the LC-MS analysis could be responsible for the observed activities. The results suggest that <i>G. speciosa</i> possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-neurodegenerative properties and a promising lead as a source of pharmacologically active compounds.