Abstract
Background: Donepezil is a cerebroselective anticholinesterase which is majorly used for memory enhancement in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The main action is through increasing central cholinergic neurotransmission but also indicated that it protects neurons from neuroinflammation mediated by free radicals which has been implicated in the pathology of the AD. Hence, in this study, we have evaluated the antioxidant potential of drug using 1,1 diphenyl 2 picrylhydrazine (DPPH) and nitric oxide (NO) synthase assay. It was found that donepezil has significant antioxidant activity which can be useful as antioxidant also along with increasing central cholinergic neurotransmission.

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate in vitro antioxidant property of donepezil.

Materials and Methods: In this study, we have demonstrated in vitro antioxidant activity of donepezil. DPPH and NO synthase assay tests were done for different concentrations of donepezil.

Results: In our study, it showed that the free radical scavenging activity of donepezil was less in lower concentration and increased in the higher concentration in DPPH assay. The free radical scavenging activity of drug donepezil was 33.5% at 10 μg/ml and 42.3% for the concentrations of 1000 μg/ml in DPPH assay. NO scavenging activity was 1% at 10 μg/ml and 14.9% at 1000 μg/ml.

Conclusion: Thus, the in vitro antioxidant analysis of donepezil was proved to be a potent antioxidant.

Key words: Alzheimer’s Disease; 1,1 diphenyl 2 picrylhydrazine; Nitric Oxide; Free Radicals; Donepezil