9H-Carbazole Derivatives Containing the N-Benzyl-1,2,3-triazole Moiety as New Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors.

A series of triazole-containing carbazole derivatives were designed as new anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChE) agents. The target compounds 6a-q were simply prepared via a one-pot three-component click reaction of N-propargyl-9H-carbazole, sodium azide, and an appropriate benzyl halide. The in vitro anti-cholinesterase assay showed that the unsubstituted benzyl derivative 6p along with the 2-F, 2-Me, 3-Me, 3-MeO, and 3-F analogs (6a, 6c, and 6g-i) had significant anti-AChE activity (IC50s ≤ 3.8 µM). Among them, the 2-methylbenzyl derivative 6c with an IC50 value of 1.9 µM was the most active compound. The SAR studies revealed that small halogen atoms such as the fluorine atom or electron-donating groups such as methyl or methoxy at the ortho or meta positions of the benzyl pendent group could be tolerated or improved the anti-AChE activity.

Facile synthesis and antiproliferative activity of 7H-benzo[7,8]chromeno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-8-amines.

A series of 7H-benzo[7,8]chromeno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-8-amines 6a-t were synthesized as new potential antiproliferative agents. The in vitro antiproliferative activity evaluation of title compounds using MTT assay revealed that most compounds showed significant activity against tested cancer cell lines (A549, MOLT-4, and HeLa). The 2-fluoro-aniline derivatives 6e and 6l were the most active compounds against A549 and MOLT-4 cells, respectively. The benzylamine analog 6h showed superior activity against HeLa cells. However, compound 6l with IC50 values of 5.2-6.9 µM had the best profile of activity against all tested cell lines. The morphological and flow cytometric analyses showed that compound 6l can induce apoptosis in the MOLT-4 cells.

Indolinone-based acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: synthesis, biological activity and molecular modeling.

A series of indolinone-based compounds bearing benzylpyridinium moiety was designed as dual-binding inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The target compounds 3a-u were synthesized by condensation of oxindole and pyridin-4-carbalehyde, and subsequent N-benzylation. The anti-cholinesterase activity evaluation of synthesized compounds revealed that most of them had very potent inhibitory activity against AChE, superior to standard drug donepezil. Particularly, 2-chlorobenzyl derivative 3c was the most potent compound against AChE with IC50 value of 0.44 nM, being 32-fold more potent than donepezil. Also, most of compounds were more potent than standard drug donepezil against butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). Docking study revealed that the hydrophobic aromatic part (indoline) of representative compound 3c binds to the PAS and the N-benzylpyridinium residue binds to the CAS of AChE.