Abstract
MeOH extracts of Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex. Baker, family Zingiberaceae, were consecutively partitioned with CHCl3, EtOAc, and n-BuOH. The CHCl3 fractions were diluted in distilled water with n-hexane–CH2Cl2 and three methoxyflavones were isolated from the CH2Cl2 extract. Based on spectral analysis and comparison of the spectral data with literature values, the compounds were identified as 3,5,7,3′,4′-pentamethoxyflavone (KP1), 5,7-dimethoxyflavone (KP2), and 5,7,4′-trimethoxyflavone (KP3). In relation to their possible effectiveness against Alzheimer's disease, these compounds were tested for their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity and neurite outgrowth in the PC12 cell line. Of the three compounds, KP1 was the only one to inhibit significantly the acetylcholinesterase activity in a dose-dependent manner.