The invention relates to carboline compounds, and a synthetic method and anti-acetylcholinesterase activity thereof. The carboline compounds have been proved to have a plurality of biological activities like anti-microbe activity, anticancer and anti-virus activity; however, researches on the anti-acetylcholinesterase activity and anti-cholinesterase activity have not been reported in the prior art. The carboline compounds provided by the invention are classified into a class A, a class B, a class C and a class D, wherein the class B and the class D are 2-aryl carboline salt compounds while the class A and the class C are 2-aryl-3,4-dihydrocarboline salt compounds. Results of activity determination show that the compounds provided by the invention have substantial anti-acetylcholinesterase and anti-cholinesterase activities and have great potential as active ingredients for preparation of drugs used for treating the Alzheimer disease.