ABSTRACT
Introduction:Saxifraga spinulosa Adams (S.spinulosa) belongs to the Saxifragaceae family and it is used for treating conjunctivitis, gynecopathy, larynx, pleural cavity in traditional Tibetan and Russian medicine. Study on antioxidant activity on this plant have also been carried out previously. However, no work has been reported on its anti-acetylcholinesterasic and anti-quorum sensing activity.Goal: The purpose of this research was to perform phytochemical, anti-acetylcholinesterase and anti-quorum sensing activities on the extracts of aerial parts of Saxifraga spinulosa Adams.Methods and materials: Anti-acetylcholinesterase activity was evaluated by colorimetric method. Extracts of aerial parts of S.spinulosa were tested for anti-quorum sensing activity by the Chromobacterium violaceum assay using the standard disc-diffusion method. Extracts were chromatographed with thin layer chromatography method. Phytochemical screening of crude extracts S. spinulosa Adams was carried out to detect saponins (Kokate, 1999), ferric chloride and lead acetate test was for tannin and phenolic contents and the detection of gum (Whistler, 1993) and Fehling test of carbohydrates respectively. Results: Plant extraction and fractionation was made earlier. Acetylcholinesterase activity screening was performed on its 4 extracts, prepared from aerial parts of Saxifraga spinulosa Adams. Non-polar chloroform fraction showed more active with 45.7% compared to the aceton extract (36%), water residue (35,5%) and n-butanol fraction (37,5%). Anti-quorum sensing activity was observed with 7 extracts of S. spinulosa aerial part. From them, fractions A (21 mm), B (20 mm), C (20 mm) showed significant activity and others were moderate. No antibacterial activity (for Chromobacterium violaceum) was observed. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) fingerprinting indicated the presence of the phenolic components and flavonoids. Phytochemical screening revealed that phenolic contents, tannins, saponins, carbohydrates, gums were present in the whole plant. Conclusion: This study shows that, S. spinulosa has anti-acetylcholinesterase and anti-quorum sensing activity and we determined that this plant mainly contains polyphenolics compounds. Key words: anti-quorum sensing, anti-acethylcholinesterase, Saxifraga spinulosa Adams