Ursolic and oleanolic acid derivatives with cholinesterase inhibiting potential.

•Derivatives of ursolic and oleanolic acid were prepared and tested in Ellman’s assays.•Several compounds acted as good inhibitors for acetyl- or butyrylcholinesterase.•2-Methyl-3-oxo-methyl-ursolate 18 acted as a mixed type inhibitor for AChE.•Ursolic acid derived hydroxy-propinyl 10 was a competitive inhibitor for BChE.•This compound was twice as active as standard galantamine hydrobromide.