Austrian Pine Oil Fights AD

RENDE, Italy—Essential oils from certain varieties of Pinus nigra (Austrian pine) may inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), positioning them as possible treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study (J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem. ePub 30 Apr 2010). Researchers from the University of Calabria examined the inhibitory effects of essential oils from three varieties of Austrian pine against the enzymes, which work to degrade the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. The greatest activity against both AChE and BChE was seen from the P. heldreichii oil, while P. nigra subsp. nigra also was effective against AChE. GC and GC-MS analysis identified certain constituents, and the activity of trans-Caryophyllene and terpinen-4-ol had significant inhibition of BChE; beta-Phellandrene was selective against AChE.