Phenolic-rich extracts were prepared by
extracting the powdered blanched and unblanched fireweed
leaves with a mixture of absolute 1 M HCl and
methanol (1:1 v/v). The phenolic constituents were analysed
using high-performance chromatography coupled
to a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). Furthermore,
the extracts’ in vitro antioxidant [1,1-diphenyl-2-
picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-
6-sulfonate (ABTS) radical scavenging and
Fe2þ
chelating abilities and inhibition of Fe2þ
-induced
lipid peroxidation in isolated rat brain] properties and
inhibitory effects against acetylcholinesterase (AChE)
and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) were determined
in vitro.