Selective in vitro and in silico cholinesterase inhibitory activity of isoflavones and stilbenes from Belamcandae chinensis rhizoma

•Belamcandae chinesis rhizoma is a source of cholinesterase inhibiting polyphenols.•Piceatannol is a selective inhibitor of BChE in vitro - significantly stronger than resveratrol.•Methoxylated isoflavonoid aglycones are moderate inhibitors of either BChE or AChE.•Molecular docking revealed selective interaction of piceatannol and irilin D with BChE active site.•Isoflavonoid and xanthone glycosides are not active against cholinesterases in vitro.