Synthesis and biological assessment of KojoTacrines as new agents for Alzheimer's disease therapy.

In view of the multifactorial nature of Alzheimer's disease (AD), multitarget small molecules (MTSM) represent the most potent and attractive therapeutic strategy to design new drugs for Alzheimer's disease therapy. The new MTSM KojoTacrines (KTs) were designed and synthesized by juxtaposition of selected pharmacophoric motifs from kojic acid and tacrine. Among them, 11-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-12-(3-methoxyphenyl)-7,9,10,12-tetrahydropyrano [2',3':5,6] pyrano[2,3-b]quinolin-4(8H)-one (KT2d) was identified as less-hepatotoxic than tacrine, at higher concentration, a moderate, but selective human acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (IC50 = 4.52 ± 0.24 µM), as well as an antioxidant agent (TE = 4.79) showing significant neuroprotection against Aß1-40 at 3 µM and 10 µM concentrations. Consequently, KT2d is a potential new hit-ligand for AD therapy for further biological exploration.

Multi-target-directed therapeutic potential of 7-methoxytacrine-adamantylamine heterodimers in the Alzheimer's disease treatment.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and currently there is no efficient treatment. The classic drug-design strategy based on the "one-molecule-one-target" paradigm was found to be ineffective in the case of multifactorial diseases like AD. A novel multi-target-directed ligand strategy based on the assumption that a single compound consisting of two or more distinct pharmacophores is able to hit multiple targets has been proposed as promising. Herein, we investigated 7-methoxytacrine - memantine heterodimers developed with respect to the multi-target-directed ligand theory. The spectroscopic, microscopic and cell culture methods were used for systematic investigation of the interference of the heterodimers with ß-secretase (BACE1) activity, Aß peptide amyloid fibrillization (amyloid theory) and interaction with M1 subtype of muscarinic (mAChRs), nicotinic (nAChRs) acetylcholine receptors (cholinergic theory) and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDA) (glutamatergic theory). The drug-like properties of selected compounds have been evaluated from the point of view of blood-brain barrier penetration and cell proliferation. We have confirmed the multipotent effect of novel series of compounds. They inhibited effectively Aß peptide amyloid fibrillization and affected the BACE1 activity. Moreover, they have AChE inhibitory potency but they could not potentiate cholinergic transmission via direct interaction with cholinergic receptors. All compounds were reported to act as an antagonist of both M1 muscarinic and muscle-type nicotinic receptors. We have found that 7-methoxytacrine - memantine heterodimers are able to hit multiple targets associated with Alzheimer's disease and thus, have a potential clinical impact for slowing or blocking the neurodegenerative process related to this disease.

The Evaluation of the Reactivating and Neuroprotective Efficacy of Two Newly Prepared Bispyridinium Oximes (K305, K307) in Tabun-Poisoned Rats-A Comparison with Trimedoxime and the Oxime K203.

The ability of two newly developed oximes (K305, K307) to protect tabun-poisoned rats from tabun-induced inhibition of brain acetylcholinesterase, acute neurotoxic signs and symptoms and brain damage was compared with that of the oxime K203 and trimedoxime. The reactivating and neuroprotective effects of the oximes studied combined with atropine on rats poisoned with tabun at a sublethal dose were evaluated. The reactivating efficacy of a newly developed oxime K305 is lower compared to the reactivating efficacy of the oxime K203 and trimedoxime while the ability of the oxime K307 to reactivate tabun-inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the brain roughly corresponds to the reactivating efficacy of the oxime K203 and it is slightly lower compared to trimedoxime. In addition, only one newly developed oxime (K307) combined with atropine was able to markedly decrease tabun-induced neurotoxicity although it did not eliminate all tabun-induced acute neurotoxic signs and symptoms. These results correspond to the histopathological evaluation of tabun-induced brain damage. Therefore, the newly developed oximes are not suitable for the replacement of commonly used oximes (especially trimedoxime) in the treatment of acute tabun poisonings.

Novel Tacrine-Scutellarin Hybrids as Multipotent Anti-Alzheimer's Agents: Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation.

A novel series of 6-chlorotacrine-scutellarin hybrids was designed, synthesized and the biological activity as potential anti-Alzheimer's agents was assessed. Their inhibitory activity towards human acetylcholinesterase (hAChE) and human butyrylcholinesterase (hBChE), antioxidant activity, ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and hepatotoxic profile were evaluated in vitro. Among these compounds, hybrid K1383, bearing two methylene tether between two basic scaffolds, was found to be very potent hAChE inhibitor (IC50 = 1.63 nM). Unfortunately, none of the hybrids displayed any antioxidant activity (EC50 ≥ 500 µM). Preliminary data also suggests a comparable hepatotoxic profile with 6-Cl-THA (established on a HepG2 cell line). Kinetic studies performed on hAChE with the most active compound in the study, K1383, pointed out to a mixed, non-competitive enzyme inhibition. These findings were further corroborated by docking studies.

Development of 2-Methoxyhuprine as Novel Lead for Alzheimer's Disease Therapy.

Tacrine (THA), the first clinically effective acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor and the first approved drug for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), was withdrawn from the market due to its side effects, particularly its hepatotoxicity. Nowadays, THA serves as a valuable scaffold for the design of novel agents potentially applicable for AD treatment. One such compound, namely 7-methoxytacrine (7-MEOTA), exhibits an intriguing profile, having suppressed hepatotoxicity and concomitantly retaining AChE inhibition properties. Another interesting class of AChE inhibitors represents Huprines, designed by merging two fragments of the known AChE inhibitors-THA and (-)-huperzine A. Several members of this compound family are more potent human AChE inhibitors than the parent compounds. The most promising are so-called huprines X and Y. Here, we report the design, synthesis, biological evaluation, and in silico studies of 2-methoxyhuprine that amalgamates structural features of 7-MEOTA and huprine Y in one molecule.

Cholinergic properties of new 7-methoxytacrine-donepezil derivatives.

Organophosphorus nerve agents inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) which causes the breakdown of the transmitter acetylcholine (ACh) in the synaptic cleft. Overstimulation of cholinergic receptors (muscarinic and nicotinic) by excessive amounts of ACh causes several health problems and may even cause death. Reversible AChE inhibitors play an important role in prophylaxis against nerve agents. The presented study investigated whether 7-methoxytacrine (7-MEOTA) and 7-MEOTA-donepezil derivatives can act as central and peripheral reversible AChE inhibitors and simultaneously antagonize muscarinic and nicotinic receptors. The possible mechanism of action was studied on cell cultures (patch clamp technique, calcium mobilization assay) and on isolated smooth muscle tissue (contraction study). Furthermore, the kinetics of the compounds were also examined. CNS availability was predicted by determining the passive blood-brain barrier penetration estimated via a modified PAMPA assay. In conclusion, this study provides promising evidence that the new synthesized 7-MEOTA-donepezil derivatives have the desired anticholinergic effect; they can inhibit AChE, and nicotinic and muscarinic receptors in the micromolar range. Furthermore, they seem to penetrate readily into the CNS. However, their real potency and benefit must be verified by in vivo experiments.

7-Methoxytacrine-p-Anisidine Hybrids as Novel Dual Binding Site Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors for Alzheimer's Disease Treatment.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a debilitating progressive neurodegenerative disorder that ultimately leads to the patient's death. Despite the fact that novel pharmacological approaches endeavoring to block the neurodegenerative process are still emerging, none of them have reached use in clinical practice yet. Thus, palliative treatment represented by acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) and memantine are still the only therapeutics used. Following the multi-target directed ligands (MTDLs) strategy, herein we describe the synthesis, biological evaluation and docking studies for novel 7-methoxytacrine-p-anisidine hybrids designed to purposely target both cholinesterases and the amyloid cascade. Indeed, the novel derivatives proved to be effective non-specific cholinesterase inhibitors showing non-competitive AChE inhibition patterns. This compounds' behavior was confirmed in the subsequent molecular modeling studies.

A comparison of the reactivating and therapeutic efficacy of two novel bispyridinium oximes (K727, K733) with the oxime HI-6 and obidoxime in sarin-poisoned rats and mice.

The ability of two novel bispyridinium oximes K727 and K733 and currently available oximes (HI-6, obidoxime) to reactivate sarin-inhibited acetylcholinesterase and to reduce acute toxicity of sarin was evaluated. To investigate the reactivating efficacy of the oximes, the rats were administered intramuscularly with atropine and oximes in equitoxic doses corresponding to 5% of their LD50 values at 1 min after the intramuscular administration of sarin at a dose of 24 µg/kg (LD50). The activity of acetylcholinesterase was measured at 60 min after sarin poisoning. The LD50 value of sarin in non-treated and treated mice was assessed using probit-logarithmical analysis of death occurring within 24 h after intramuscular administration of sarin at five different doses. In vivo determined percentage of reactivation of sarin-inhibited rat blood, diaphragm and brain acetylcholinesterase showed that the potency of both novel oximes K727 and K733 to reactivate sarin-inhibited acetylcholinesterase roughly corresponds to the reactivating efficacy of obidoxime. On the other hand, the oxime HI-6 was found to be the most efficient reactivator of sarin-inhibited acetylcholinesterase. While the oxime HI-6 was able to reduce the acute toxicity of sarin >3 times, both novel oximes and obidoxime decreased the acute toxicity of sarin <2 times. Based on the results, we can conclude that the reactivating and therapeutic efficacy of both novel oximes K727 and K733 is significantly lower compared to the oxime HI-6 and, therefore, they are not suitable for the replacement of the oxime HI-6 for the antidotal treatment of acute sarin poisoning.

The evaluation of the reactivating and therapeutic efficacy of two novel oximes (K361 and K378) in comparison with the oxime K203 and trimedoxime in tabun-poisoned rats and mice.

The potency of two newly developed oximes (K361 and K378) to reactivate tabun-inhibited cholinesterase and to reduce acute toxicity of tabun was compared with the oxime K203 and trimedoxime using in vivo methods. The study determining percentage of reactivation of tabun-inhibited diaphragm cholinesterase in poisoned rats showed that the reactivating efficacy of the oxime K378 is slightly lower than the reactivating potency of the oxime K203 and trimedoxime while the ability of the oxime K361 to reactivate tabun-inhibited cholinesterase is markedly lower compared with the oxime K203 and trimedoxime. In the brain, the potency of both newly developed oximes to reactivate tabun-inhibited cholinesterase was negligible. The therapeutic efficacy of both newly developed oximes roughly corresponds to their weak reactivating efficacy. Their potency to reduce acute toxicity of tabun was significantly lower compared with the oxime K203 as well as trimedoxime. In conclusion, the reactivating and therapeutic potency of both newly developed oximes does not prevail the effectiveness of the oxime K203 and trimedoxime and, therefore, they are not suitable for their replacement of commonly used oximes for the treatment of acute tabun poisoning.

A comparison of the reactivating efficacy of a novel bispyridinium oxime K203 with currently available oximes in VX agent-poisoned rats.

The ability of a novel bispyridinium oxime K203 to reactivate VX agent-inhibited acetylcholinesterase was compared with the reactivating efficacy of four commonly used oximes (obidoxime, trimedoxime, methoxime, HI-6) using in vivo model. Our results showed that the reactivating efficacy of the oxime HI-6 is higher than the reactivating efficacy of the other oximes studied including the oxime K203 although the differrences between the oxime HI-6 and some other oximes are not significant, especially in the blood. Based on the obtained data, we can conclude that the antidotal treatment involving the oxime HI-6 brings the higher benefit for the antidotal treatment of acute poisonings with VX agent than other oximes.

Acetylcholinesterase reactivators (HI-6, obidoxime, trimedoxime, K027, K075, K127, K203, K282): structural evaluation of human serum albumin binding and absorption kinetics.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) reactivators (oximes) are compounds predominantly targeting the active site of the enzyme. Toxic effects of organophosphates nerve agents (OPNAs) are primarily related to their covalent binding to AChE and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), critical detoxification enzymes in the blood and in the central nervous system (CNS). After exposure to OPNAs, accumulation of acetylcholine (ACh) overstimulates receptors and blocks neuromuscular junction transmission resulting in CNS toxicity. Current efforts at treatments for OPNA exposure are focused on non-quaternary reactivators, monoisonitrosoacetone oximes (MINA), and diacylmonoxime reactivators (DAM). However, so far only quaternary oximes have been approved for use in cases of OPNA intoxication. Five acetylcholinesterase reactivator candidates (K027, K075, K127, K203, K282) are presented here, together with pharmacokinetic data (plasma concentration, human serum albumin binding potency). Pharmacokinetic curves based on intramuscular application of the tested compounds are given, with binding information and an evaluation of structural relationships. Human Serum Albumin (HSA) binding studies have not yet been performed on any acetylcholinesterase reactivators, and correlations between structure, concentration curves and binding are vital for further development. HSA bindings of the tested compounds were 1% (HI-6), 7% (obidoxime), 6% (trimedoxime), and 5%, 10%, 4%, 15%, and 12% for K027, K075, K127, K203, and K282, respectively.

Oximes: inhibitors of human recombinant acetylcholinesterase. A structure-activity relationship (SAR) study.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) reactivators were developed for the treatment of organophosphate intoxication. Standard care involves the use of anticonvulsants (e.g., diazepam), parasympatolytics (e.g., atropine) and oximes that restore AChE activity. However, oximes also bind to the active site of AChE, simultaneously acting as reversible inhibitors. The goal of the present study is to determine how oxime structure influences the inhibition of human recombinant AChE (hrAChE). Therefore, 24 structurally different oximes were tested and the results compared to the previous eel AChE (EeAChE) experiments. Structural factors that were tested included the number of pyridinium rings, the length and structural features of the linker, and the number and position of the oxime group on the pyridinium ring.

The evaluation of the reactivating and therapeutic efficacy of three novel bispyridinium oximes (K454, K456, K458) in comparison with the oxime K203 and trimedoxime in tabun-poisoned rats and mice.

The potency of three newly developed bispyridinium compounds (K454, K456, K458) to reactivate tabun-inhibited acetylcholinesterase and reduce tabun-induced lethal toxic effects was compared with the oxime K203 and trimedoxime using in vivo methods. The study determining percentage of reactivation of tabun-inhibited diaphragm and brain acetylcholinesterase in poisoned rats showed that the reactivating efficacy of all newly developed oximes is comparable with K203 but lower than the reactivating potency of trimedoxime in diaphragm. In the brain, their potency to reactivate tabun-inhibited acetylcholinesterase is lower compared with trimedoxime and the oxime K203. All three newly developed oximes were also found to be relatively effective in reducing lethal toxic effects in tabun-poisoned mice. Their therapeutic efficacy is consistent with the therapeutic potency of the oxime K203. On the other hand, their potency to reduce acute toxicity of tabun is significantly lower compared with trimedoxime. In conclusion, the reactivating and therapeutic potency of all three newly developed oximes does not prevail the effectiveness of the oxime K203 and trimedoxime and, therefore, they are not suitable for their replacement of commonly used oximes for the treatment of acute tabun poisoning.

A comparison of the reactivating and therapeutic efficacy of chosen combinations of oximes with individual oximes against VX in rats and mice.

The ability of 2 combinations of oximes (HI-6 + trimedoxime and HI-6 + K203) to reactivate VX-inhibited acetylcholinesterase and reduce acute toxicity of VX was compared with the reactivating and therapeutic efficacy of antidotal treatment involving a single oxime (HI-6, trimedoxime, K203) in rats and mice. Our results showed that the reactivating efficacy of both combinations of oximes studied in rats is significantly higher than the reactivating efficacy of all individual oximes in diaphragm and roughly corresponds to the most effective individual oxime in blood and brain. Both combinations of oximes were found to be more effective in the reduction of acute lethal toxicity of VX in mice than the antidotal treatment involving the most efficacious individual oxime although the difference is not significant. Based on the obtained data, we can conclude that the antidotal treatment involving the chosen combinations of oximes brings benefit for the reactivation of VX-inhibited acetylcholinesterase in rats and for the antidotal treatment of VX-induced acute poisoning in mice.

Tacrine-coumarin and Tacrine-7-chloroquinoline Hybrids with Thiourea Linkers: Cholinesterase Inhibition Properties, Kinetic Study, Molecular Docking and Permeability Assay for Blood-brain Barrier.

BACKGROUND: The design of new heterodimeric dual binding site acetylcholinesterase inhibitors constitutes the main goal-directed to the development of new anticholinesterase agents with the expanded pharmacological profile. Multi-target compounds are usually designed by combining in a hybrid molecule with two or more pharmacophoric moieties that are known to enable interaction with the selected molecular targets. METHODS: All compounds were tested for their inhibitory activity on human AChE/BChE. The Ellman´s method was used to determine inhibition kinetics and IC50 values. In order to predict passive bloodbrain penetration of novel compounds, modification of the parallel artificial membrane permeation assay has been used. Docking studies were performed in order to predict the binding modes of new hybrids with hAChE/ hBChE respectively. RESULTS: In this study, we described the design, synthesis, and evaluation of series tacrine-coumarin and tacrine-quinoline compounds which were found to show potential inhibition of ChEs and penetration of the blood-brain barrier. CONCLUSION: Tacrine-quinoline hybrids 7a exhibited the highest activity towards hBChE (IC50 = 0.97 µmol) and 7d towards hAChE (IC50 = 0.32 µmol). Kinetic and molecular modelling studies revealed that 7d was a mixed-type AChE inhibitor (Ki = 1.69 µmol) and 7a was a mixed-type BChE inhibitor (Ki = 1.09 µmol). Moreover, hybrid 5d and 7c could penetrate the CNS.

Development of small bisquaternary cholinesterase inhibitors as drugs for pre-treatment of nerve agent poisonings.

BACKGROUND: Intoxication by nerve agents could be prevented by using small acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (eg, pyridostigmine) for potentially exposed personnel. However, the serious side effects of currently used drugs led to research of novel potent molecules for prophylaxis of organophosphorus intoxication. METHODS: The molecular design, molecular docking, chemical synthesis, in vitro methods (enzyme inhibition, cytotoxicity, and nicotinic receptors modulation), and in vivo methods (acute toxicity and prophylactic effect) were used to study bispyridinium, bisquinolinium, bisisoquinolinium, and pyridinium-quinolinium/isoquinolinium molecules presented in this study. RESULTS: The studied molecules showed non-competitive inhibitory ability towards human acetylcholinesterase in vitro that was further confirmed by molecular modelling studies. Several compounds were selected for further studies. First, their cytotoxicity, nicotinic receptors modulation, and acute toxicity (lethal dose for 50% of laboratory animals [LD50]; mice and rats) were tested to evaluate their safety with promising results. Furthermore, their blood levels were measured to select the appropriate time for prophylactic administration. Finally, the protective ratio of selected compounds against soman-induced toxicity was determined when selected compounds were found similarly potent or only slightly better to standard pyridostigmine. CONCLUSION: The presented small bisquaternary molecules did not show overall benefit in prophylaxis of soman-induced in vivo toxicity.

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of 1-Benzylamino-2-hydroxyalkyl Derivatives as New Potential Disease-Modifying Multifunctional Anti-Alzheimer's Agents.

The multitarget approach is a promising paradigm in drug discovery, potentially leading to new treatment options for complex disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease. Herein, we present the discovery of a unique series of 1-benzylamino-2-hydroxyalkyl derivatives combining inhibitory activity against butyrylcholinesterase, ß-secretase, ß-amyloid, and tau protein aggregation, all related to mechanisms which underpin Alzheimer's disease. Notably, diphenylpropylamine derivative 10 showed balanced activity against both disease-modifying targets, inhibition of ß-secretase (IC50  hBACE-1 = 41.60 µM), inhibition of amyloid ß aggregation (IC50 Aß = 3.09 µM), inhibition of tau aggregation (55% at 10 µM); as well as against symptomatic targets, butyrylcholinesterase inhibition (IC50  hBuChE = 7.22 µM). It might represent an encouraging starting point for development of multifunctional disease-modifying anti-Alzheimer's agents.

Tacrine-resveratrol fused hybrids as multi-target-directed ligands against Alzheimer's disease.

Multi-target drug discovery is one of the most followed approaches in the active central nervous system (CNS) therapeutic area, especially in the search for new drugs against Alzheimer's disease (AD). This is because innovative multi-target-directed ligands (MTDLs) could more adequately address the complexity of this pathological condition. In a continuation of our efforts aimed at a new series of anti-AD MTDLs, we combined the structural features of the cholinesterase inhibitor drug tacrine with that of resveratrol, which is known for its purported antioxidant and anti-neuroinflammatory activities. The most interesting hybrid compounds (5, 8, 9 and 12) inhibited human acetylcholinesterase at micromolar concentrations and effectively modulated Aß self-aggregation in vitro. In addition, 12 showed intriguing anti-inflammatory and immuno-modulatory properties in neuronal and glial AD cell models. Importantly, the MTDL profile is accompanied by high-predicted blood-brain barrier permeability, and low cytotoxicity on primary neurons.

The Antioxidant Additive Approach for Alzheimer's Disease Therapy: New Ferulic (Lipoic) Acid Plus Melatonin Modified Tacrines as Cholinesterases Inhibitors, Direct Antioxidants, and Nuclear Factor (Erythroid-Derived 2)-Like 2 Activators.

Novel multifunctional tacrines for Alzheimer's disease were obtained by Ugi-reaction between ferulic (or lipoic acid), a melatonin-like isocyanide, formaldehyde, and tacrine derivatives, according to the antioxidant additive approach in order to modulate the oxidative stress as therapeutic strategy. Compound 5c has been identified as a promising permeable agent showing excellent antioxidant properties, strong cholinesterase inhibitory activity, less hepatotoxicity than tacrine, and the best neuroprotective capacity, being able to significantly activate the Nrf2 transcriptional pathway.

Targeting copper(II)-induced oxidative stress and the acetylcholinesterase system in Alzheimer's disease using multifunctional tacrine-coumarin hybrid molecules.

Alzheimer's disease is a multifactorial disease that is characterized mainly by Amyloid-ß (A-ß) deposits, cholinergic deficit and extensive metal (copper, iron)-induced oxidative stress. In this work we present details of the synthesis, antioxidant and copper-chelating properties, DNA protection study, cholinergic activity and amyloid-antiaggregation properties of new multifunctional tacrine-7-hydroxycoumarin hybrids. The mode of interaction between copper(II) and hybrids and interestingly, the reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I) species (for complexes Cu-5e-g) were confirmed by EPR measurements. EPR spin trapping on the model Fenton reaction, using 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) as a spin trap, demonstrated a significantly suppressed formation of hydroxyl radicals for the Cu-5e complex in comparison with free copper(II). This suggests that compound 5e upon coordination to free copper ion prevents the Cu(II)-catalyzed decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, which in turn may alleviate oxidative stress-induced damage. Protective activity of hybrids 5c and 5e against DNA damage in a Fenton system (copper catalyzed) was found to be in excellent agreement with the EPR spin trapping study. Compound 5g was the most effective in the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (hAChE, IC50=38nM) and compound 5b was the most potent inhibitor of butyrylcholinesterase (hBuChE, IC50=63nM). Compound 5c was the strongest inhibitor of A-ß1-40 aggregation, although a significant inhibition (>50%) was detected for compounds 5b, 5d, 5e and 5g. Collectively, these results suggest that the design and investigation of multifunctional agents containing along with the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory segment also an antioxidant moiety capable of alleviating metal (copper)-induced oxidative stress, may be of importance in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.