Design, synthesis and evaluation of fused hybrids with acetylcholinesterase inhibiting and Nrf2 activating functions for Alzheimer's disease

European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
2022.0

Abstract

Designing of multiple-target directed ligands (MTDLs) has emerged as an attractive strategy for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Fusing the benzylpiperidine motif from AChE inhibitor donepezil and the 1,2,4-oxadiazole core from the Nrf2 activator 25 that was previously reported, we designed and synthesized a series of multifunctional anti-AD hybrids. The optimal hybrid 15a exhibited excellent AChE inhibitory (eeAChE IC<sub>50</sub> = 0.07 ± 0.01 μM; hAChE IC<sub>50</sub> = 0.38 ± 0.04 μM) and significant Nrf2 inductivity. It upregulated the protein and transcription level of Nrf2 and its downstream proteins HO-1, NQO1, and GCLM and promoted Nrf2 translocation from cytoplasm into nuclei. Additionally, 15a exhibited important neuroprotective function in protecting the cells from being damaged by H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> and Aβ<sub>1-42</sub> aggregation and exerted antioxidant stress and anti-inflammatory activities in reducing the production of ROS and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, 15a effectively shortened the latency time and escape distance to the target, increased the arrival times, and simplified the tracks in Morris water maze test induced by scopolamine and Aβ<sub>1-42</sub>. At the same time, it significantly reduced the levels of proinflammatory factors in the mice model brains. These effects of 15a in improving cognition and alleviating inflammation were even better than the combination of AChE inhibitor and Nrf2 activator, suggesting a remarkable benefit for AD treatment. 15a could serve as a novel hit compound with Nrf2 inductive activity and AChE inhibitory activity for further research.

Knowledge Graph

Similar Paper

Design, synthesis and evaluation of fused hybrids with acetylcholinesterase inhibiting and Nrf2 activating functions for Alzheimer's disease
European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2022.0
Synthesis and biological evaluation of 4-hydroxy-methylpiperidinyl-N-benzyl-acylarylhydrazone hybrids designed as novel multifunctional drug candidates for Alzheimer’s disease
Bioorganic &amp; Medicinal Chemistry 2022.0
Tackling neuroinflammation and cholinergic deficit in Alzheimer's disease: Multi-target inhibitors of cholinesterases, cyclooxygenase-2 and 15-lipoxygenase
European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2019.0
Design, synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of N -benzyl-piperidinyl-aryl-acylhydrazone derivatives as donepezil hybrids: Discovery of novel multi-target anti-alzheimer prototype drug candidates
European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2018.0
Combination of NSAIDs with donepezil as multi-target directed ligands for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
Bioorganic &amp; Medicinal Chemistry Letters 2022.0
Design, synthesis and evaluation of novel feruloyl-donepezil hybrids as potential multitarget drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease
European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2017.0
Synthesis and evaluation of multi-target-directed ligands for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease based on the fusion of donepezil and melatonin
Bioorganic &amp; Medicinal Chemistry 2016.0
Donepezil-butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) hybrids as Anti-Alzheimer's disease agents with cholinergic, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties
European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2018.0
Synthesis and evaluation of donepezil–ferulic acid hybrids as multi-target-directed ligands against Alzheimer's disease
MedChemComm 2016.0
Design and development of molecular hybrids of 2-pyridylpiperazine and 5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazoles as potential multifunctional agents to treat Alzheimer's disease
European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2019.0