Objective: The ethanol extracts of 24 medicinal plants were screened for their anti-acetylcholinesterase(AChE) activity and antioxidant activity. Method: The medicinal plants were extracted by ethanol(70%) under reflux. The objective extracts would be extracted by different solvents-dichloromethane

ethyl acetate

n-butanol

and water respectively

in order to obtain their dichloromethane

ethyl acetate

n-butanol

and aqueous-soluble fractions. The AChE inhibitory activity was tested by TLC bioautographic method combined with modified Ellman's colorimetric method; Antioxidant activity was evaluated by 2

2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) radical scavenging method. Result: On the basis of the evaluation of 24 medicinal plants tested by TLC bioautographic method and modified Ellman's colorimetric method

some medicinal plants had taken on significant anti-acetylcholinesterase activity and DPPH free radical-scavenging activity

such as Leonfice robustum (Maxim.) Diels

Stephania kwangsiensis H.S.Lo

Toddalia asiatica (L.) lam.

Rhododendron mucronatum G.Don and Alangium chinense (Lour.) Harms. The inhibition rates of the above medicinal plants were (88.72±1.47)%

(82.25±1.32)%

(77.71±1.61)%

(77.00±1.38)% and (75.22±1.28)% at the concentration of 1g·L-1

respectively; And IC50 value of DPPH free radical-scavenging activity were 153.75

74.95

50.00

10.87

24.40 mg· L-1

respectively. Compared with the the various extracts based on kinds of solvents

dichloromethane fractions of L. robustum and S. kwangsiensis had the higher anti-acetylcholinesterase activity

which IC50 value were 33.97

38.79 mg· L-1

while IC50 value of DPPH free radical-scavenging activity were 302.95

79.45 mg· L-1. Conclusion: Dichloromethane fractions of L. robustum and S. kwangsiensis extracts have shown high AChE inhibitory capacity and antioxidant activity

so they will be further performed bio-guided isolation and purified to obtain active compounds.