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1.
ACS Chem Neurosci ; 13(23): 3314-3329, 2022 12 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36445009

ABSTRACT

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common type of dementia, currently represents an extremely challenging and unmet medical need worldwide. Amyloid-ß (Aß) and Tau proteins are prototypical AD hallmarks, as well as validated drug targets. Accumulating evidence now suggests that they synergistically contribute to disease pathogenesis. This could not only help explain negative results from anti-Aß clinical trials but also indicate that therapies solely directed at one of them may have to be reconsidered. Based on this, herein, we describe the development of a focused library of 2,4-thiazolidinedione (TZD)-based bivalent derivatives as dual Aß and Tau aggregation inhibitors. The aggregating activity of the 24 synthesized derivatives was tested in intact Escherichia coli cells overexpressing Aß42 and Tau proteins. We then evaluated their neuronal toxicity and ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), together with the in vitro interaction with the two isolated proteins. Finally, the most promising (most active, nontoxic, and BBB-permeable) compounds 22 and 23 were tested in vivo, in a Drosophila melanogaster model of AD. The carbazole derivative 22 (20 µM) showed extremely encouraging results, being able to improve both the lifespan and the climbing abilities of Aß42 expressing flies and generating a better outcome than doxycycline (50 µM). Moreover, 22 proved to be able to decrease Aß42 aggregates in the brains of the flies. We conclude that bivalent small molecules based on 22 deserve further attention as hits for dual Aß/Tau aggregation inhibition in AD.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Animals , Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , Drosophila , tau Proteins , Drosophila melanogaster
2.
J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem ; 37(1): 2605-2620, 2022 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36131624

ABSTRACT

Twenty-four novel compounds bearing tetrahydroacridine and N-propargyl moieties have been designed, synthesised, and evaluated in vitro for their anti-cholinesterase and anti-monoamine oxidase activities. Propargyltacrine 23 (IC50 = 21 nM) was the most potent acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor, compound 20 (IC50 = 78 nM) showed the best inhibitory human butyrylcholinesterase (hBChE) profile, and ligand 21 afforded equipotent and significant values on both ChEs (human AChE [hAChE]: IC50 = 0.095 ± 0.001 µM; hBChE: IC50 = 0.093 ± 0.003 µM). Regarding MAO inhibition, compounds 7, 15, and 25 demonstrated the highest inhibitory potential towards hMAO-B (IC50 = 163, 40, and 170 nM, respectively). In all, compounds 7, 15, 20, 21, 23, and 25 exhibiting the most balanced pharmacological profile, were submitted to permeability and cell viability tests. As a result, 7-phenoxy-N-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridin-9-amine hydrochloride (15) has been identified as a permeable agent that shows a balanced pharmacological profile [IC50 (hAChE) = 1.472 ± 0.024 µM; IC50 (hBChE) = 0.659 ± 0.077 µM; IC50 (hMAO-B) = 40.39 ± 5.98 nM], and consequently, as a new hit-ligand that deserves further investigation, in particular in vivo analyses, as the preliminary cell viability test results reported here suggest that this is a relatively safe therapeutic agent.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Butyrylcholinesterase , Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism , Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , Amines , Butyrylcholinesterase/metabolism , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Drug Design , Humans , Ligands , Monoamine Oxidase , Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Oxidoreductases , Structure-Activity Relationship , Tacrine/therapeutic use
3.
Curr Issues Mol Biol ; 44(2): 578-596, 2022 Jan 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35723326

ABSTRACT

At present, there is no effective way to treat the consequences of spinal cord injury (SCI). SCI leads to the death of neural and glial cells and widespread neuroinflammation with persisting for several weeks after the injury. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy is one of the most promising approaches in the treatment of this injury. The aim of this study was to characterize the expression profile of multiple cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and so-called neuromarkers in the serum of an SCI patient treated with autologous bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs). SCI resulted in a significant increase in the levels of neuromarkers and proteins involved in the inflammatory process. BM-MSCs administration resulted in significant changes in the levels of neuromarkers (S100, GFAP, and pNF-H) as well as changes in the expression of proteins and growth factors involved in the inflammatory response following SCI in the serum of a patient with traumatic SCI. Our preliminary results encouraged that BM-MSCs with their neuroprotective and immunomodulatory effects could affect the repair process after injury.

4.
Int J Mol Sci ; 23(5)2022 Feb 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35269618

ABSTRACT

There is a lack of in vitro models able to plausibly represent the inflammation microenvironment of knee osteoarthritis (OA). We analyzed the molecules released from OA tissues (synovial membrane, cartilage, infrapatellar fat pad) and investigated whether the stimulation of human synovial fibroblasts (SFs), with synthetic cytokines (IL-1ß and TNF-α or IFN-γ) or conditioned media (CM) from OA tissues, influence the SFs' response, in the sense of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and degradative enzymes modulation. Human SFs were obtained from OA synovial membranes. SFs and their CM were analyzed for biomarkers, proliferation rate, protein profile and gene expression, before and after stimulation. Real-time PCR and multiplex assays quantified OA-related gene expression and biomolecule production. Unlike other activators, CM from OA synovial membrane (CM-SM), significantly up-regulated all genes of interest (IL-6, IL-8, MMP-1, MMP-3, RANTES, MCP-1, TSG-6, YKL-40) in SFs. Multiplex immunoassay analysis showed that levels of OA-related cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, MCP 1, IL-1Ra), chemokine (RANTES) and growth factor (VEGF), produced by CM-SM stimulated SFs, increased significantly compared to non-stimulated SFs. Molecules released from the SM from OA patients induces OA-like changes in vitro, in specific OA synovial populations (SFs). These findings promote the use and establish a compelling in vitro model that simulates the versatility and complexity of the OA disease. This model, in the future, will allow us to study new cell therapies or test drugs by reducing or avoiding animal models.


Subject(s)
Chemokine CCL5 , Osteoarthritis, Knee , Animals , Chemokine CCL5/metabolism , Chemokines/metabolism , Culture Media, Conditioned/metabolism , Cytokines/metabolism , Fibroblasts/metabolism , Humans , Interleukin-6/metabolism , Interleukin-8/metabolism , Osteoarthritis, Knee/metabolism , Synovial Membrane/metabolism
5.
Int J Mol Sci ; 22(24)2021 Dec 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34948379

ABSTRACT

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are of great interest to scientists due to their application in cell therapy of many diseases, as well as regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Recently, there has been growing evidence surrounding the research based on extracellular vesicles (EVs), especially small EVs (sEVs)/exosomes derived from MSCs. EVs/exosomes can be secreted by almost all cell types and various types of EVs show multiple functions. In addition, MSCs-derived exosomes have similar characteristics and biological activities to MSCs and their therapeutic applications are considered as a safe strategy in cell-free therapy. The aim of this study was the characterization of MSCs isolated from the chorion (CHo-MSCs) of human full-term placenta, as well as the isolation and analysis of small EVs obtained from these cells. Accordingly, in this study, the ability of small EVs' uptake is indicated by synovial fibroblasts, osteoblasts and periosteum-derived MSCs. Improvement in the understanding of the structure, characteristics, mechanism of action and potential application of MSCs-derived small EVs can provide new insight into improved therapeutic strategies.


Subject(s)
Chorion/cytology , Extracellular Vesicles/metabolism , Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology , Cell Communication , Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy , Cells, Cultured , Chorion/metabolism , Fibroblasts/cytology , Fibroblasts/metabolism , Humans , Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism , Osteoblasts/cytology , Osteoblasts/metabolism
6.
Int J Mol Sci ; 22(18)2021 Sep 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34575865

ABSTRACT

Autologous blood products, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), are gaining increasing interest in different fields of regenerative medicine. Although growth factors, the main components of PRP, are thought to stimulate reparation processes, the exact mechanism of action and main effectors of PRP are not fully understood. Plasma contains a high amount of extracellular vesicles (EVs) produced by different cells, including anucleated platelets. Platelet-derived EVs (PL-EVs) are the most abundant type of EVs in circulation. Numerous advantages of PL-EVs, including their ability to be released locally, their ease of travel through the body, their low immunogenicity and tumourigenicity, the modulation of signal transduction as well as the ease with which they can be obtained, has attracted increased attention n. This review focuses briefly on the biological characteristics and isolation methods of PL-EVs, including exosomes derived from platelets (PL-EXOs), and their involvement in the pathology of diseases. Evidence that shows how PL-EVs can be used as a novel tool in medicine, particularly in therapeutic and regenerative medicine, is also discussed in this review.


Subject(s)
Blood Platelets/metabolism , Exosomes , Extracellular Vesicles/metabolism , Platelet-Rich Plasma/metabolism , Regenerative Medicine/methods , Animals , Clinical Trials as Topic , Humans , Mice , Rats , Regeneration , Serum Albumin, Bovine/metabolism , Signal Transduction
7.
J Biomed Sci ; 28(1): 39, 2021 May 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34030679

ABSTRACT

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been demonstrated to have a great potential in the treatment of several diseases due to their differentiation and immunomodulatory capabilities and their ability to be easily cultured and manipulated. Recent investigations revealed that their therapeutic effect is largely mediated by the secretion of paracrine factors including exosomes. Exosomes reflect biophysical features of MSCs and are considered more effective than MSCs themselves. Alternative approaches based on MSC-derived exosomes can offer appreciable promise in overcoming the limitations and practical challenges observed in cell-based therapy. Furthermore, MSC-derived exosomes may provide a potent therapeutic strategy for various diseases and are promising candidates for cell-based and cell-free regenerative medicine. This review briefly summarizes the development of MSCs as a treatment for human diseases as well as describes our current knowledge about exosomes: their biogenesis and molecular composition, and how they exert their effects on target cells. Particularly, the therapeutic potential of MSC-derived exosomes in experimental models and recent clinical trials to evaluate their safety and efficacy are summarized in this study. Overall, this paper provides a current overview of exosomes as a new cell-free therapeutic agent.


Subject(s)
Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy/methods , Exosomes/transplantation , Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation/statistics & numerical data , Regenerative Medicine/statistics & numerical data , Cell Differentiation , Humans , Immunomodulation
8.
Bioorg Med Chem Lett ; 43: 128100, 2021 07 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33984470

ABSTRACT

The search for novel and effective therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the main quest that remains to be resolved. The goal is to find a disease-modifying agent able to confront the multifactorial nature of the disease positively. Herewith, a family of huprineY-tryptophan heterodimers was prepared, resulting in inhibition of cholinesterase and neuronal nitric oxide synthase enzymes, with effect against amyloid-beta (Aß) and potential ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Their cholinesterase pattern of behavior was inspected using kinetic analysis in tandem with docking studies. These heterodimers exhibited a promising pharmacological profile with strong implication in AD.


Subject(s)
Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism , Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , Aminoquinolines/pharmacology , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings/pharmacology , Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology , Tryptophan/pharmacology , Alzheimer Disease/metabolism , Aminoquinolines/chemistry , Amyloid beta-Peptides/antagonists & inhibitors , Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemical synthesis , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemistry , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings/chemistry , Humans , Molecular Structure , Neuroprotective Agents/chemical synthesis , Neuroprotective Agents/chemistry , Structure-Activity Relationship , Tryptophan/chemistry
9.
ACS Chem Neurosci ; 12(8): 1328-1342, 2021 04 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33797877

ABSTRACT

Multitarget-directed ligands (MTDLs) are considered a promising therapeutic strategy to address the multifactorial nature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Novel MTDLs have been designed as inhibitors of human acetylcholinesterases/butyrylcholinesterases, monoamine oxidase A/B, and glycogen synthase kinase 3ß and as calcium channel antagonists via the Biginelli multicomponent reaction. Among these MTDLs, (±)-BIGI-3h was identified as a promising new hit compound showing in vitro balanced activities toward the aforementioned recognized AD targets. Additional in vitro studies demonstrated antioxidant effects and brain penetration, along with the ability to inhibit the aggregation of both τ protein and ß-amyloid peptide. The in vivo studies have shown that (±)-BIGI-3h (10 mg/kg intraperitoneally) significantly reduces scopolamine-induced cognitive deficits.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , Calcium Channel Blockers/pharmacology , Calcium Channel Blockers/therapeutic use , Calcium Channels , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta , Humans , Ligands , Monoamine Oxidase/metabolism
10.
Future Med Chem ; 13(9): 785-804, 2021 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33829876

ABSTRACT

The authors report on the synthesis and biological evaluation of new compounds whose structure combines tacrine and indole moieties. Tacrine-indole heterodimers were designed to inhibit cholinesterases and ß-amyloid formation, and to cross the blood-brain barrier. The most potent new acetylcholinesterase inhibitors were compounds 3c and 4d (IC50 = 25 and 39 nM, respectively). Compound 3c displayed considerably higher selectivity for acetylcholinesterase relative to human plasma butyrylcholinesterase in comparison to compound 4d (selectivity index: IC50 [butyrylcholinesterase]/IC50 [acetylcholinesterase] = 3 and 0.6, respectively). Furthermore, compound 3c inhibited ß-amyloid-dependent amyloid nucleation in the yeast-based prion nucleation assay and displayed no dsDNA destabilizing interactions with DNA. Compounds 3c and 4d displayed a high probability of crossing the blood-brain barrier. The results support the potential of 3c for future development as a dual-acting therapeutic agent in the prevention and/or treatment of Alzheimer's disease.


Subject(s)
Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism , Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemistry , Indoles/chemistry , Neuroprotective Agents/chemistry , Tacrine/chemistry , Blood-Brain Barrier , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/pharmacology , DNA/chemistry , Dimerization , Drug Evaluation, Preclinical , Humans , Indoles/pharmacology , Inhibitory Concentration 50 , Ligands , Molecular Docking Simulation , Molecular Dynamics Simulation , Molecular Targeted Therapy , Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology , Protein Binding , Structure-Activity Relationship , Tacrine/pharmacology
11.
ACS Chem Neurosci ; 12(9): 1698-1715, 2021 05 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33852284

ABSTRACT

Since 2002, no clinical candidate against Alzheimer's disease has reached the market; hence, an effective therapy is urgently needed. We followed the so-called "multitarget directed ligand" approach and designed 36 novel tacrine-phenothiazine heterodimers which were in vitro evaluated for their anticholinesterase properties. The assessment of the structure-activity relationships of such derivatives highlighted compound 1dC as a potent and selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitor with IC50 = 8 nM and 1aA as a potent butyrylcholinesterase inhibitor with IC50 = 15 nM. Selected hybrids, namely, 1aC, 1bC, 1cC, 1dC, and 2dC, showed a significant inhibitory activity toward τ(306-336) peptide aggregation with percent inhibition ranging from 50.5 to 62.1%. Likewise, 1dC and 2dC exerted a remarkable ability to inhibit self-induced Aß1-42 aggregation. Notwithstanding, in vitro studies displayed cytotoxicity toward HepG2 cells and cerebellar granule neurons; no pathophysiological abnormality was observed when 1dC was administered to mice at 14 mg/kg (i.p.). 1dC was also able to permeate to the CNS as shown by in vitro and in vivo models. The maximum brain concentration was close to the IC50 value for acetylcholinesterase inhibition with a relatively slow elimination half-time. 1dC showed an acceptable safety and good pharmacokinetic properties and a multifunctional biological profile.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Tacrine , Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism , Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , Amyloid beta-Peptides , Animals , Butyrylcholinesterase/metabolism , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Drug Design , Mice , Phenothiazines/pharmacology , Structure-Activity Relationship , Tacrine/pharmacology
12.
Int J Mol Sci ; 22(8)2021 Apr 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33917200

ABSTRACT

A series of novel C4-C7-tethered biscoumarin derivatives (12a-e) linked through piperazine moiety was designed, synthesized, and evaluated biological/therapeutic potential. Biscoumarin 12d was found to be the most effective inhibitor of both acetylcholinesterase (AChE, IC50 = 6.30 µM) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE, IC50 = 49 µM). Detailed molecular modelling studies compared the accommodation of ensaculin (well-established coumarin derivative tested in phase I of clinical trials) and 12d in the human recombinant AChE (hAChE) active site. The ability of novel compounds to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) was predicted with a positive outcome for compound 12e. The antiproliferative effects of newly synthesized biscoumarin derivatives were tested in vitro on human lung carcinoma cell line (A549) and normal colon fibroblast cell line (CCD-18Co). The effect of derivatives on cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay, quantification of cell numbers and viability, colony-forming assay, analysis of cell cycle distribution and mitotic activity. Intracellular localization of used derivatives in A549 cells was confirmed by confocal microscopy. Derivatives 12d and 12e showed significant antiproliferative activity in A549 cancer cells without a significant effect on normal CCD-18Co cells. The inhibition of hAChE/human recombinant BChE (hBChE), the antiproliferative activity on cancer cells, and the ability to cross the BBB suggest the high potential of biscoumarin derivatives. Beside the treatment of cancer, 12e might be applicable against disorders such as schizophrenia, and 12d could serve future development as therapeutic agents in the prevention and/or treatment of Alzheimer's disease.


Subject(s)
Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemistry , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Coumarins/chemistry , Coumarins/pharmacology , Models, Molecular , A549 Cells , Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , Antineoplastic Agents/chemical synthesis , Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Blood-Brain Barrier/drug effects , Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism , Cell Cycle/drug effects , Cell Survival/drug effects , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemical synthesis , Coumarins/chemical synthesis , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Enzyme Activation/drug effects , Humans , Molecular Structure , Structure-Activity Relationship
13.
Bioorg Chem ; 107: 104596, 2021 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33421953

ABSTRACT

A series of tacrine - benzothiazole hybrids incorporate inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), amyloid ß (Aß) aggregation and mitochondrial enzyme ABAD, whose interaction with Aß leads to mitochondrial dysfunction, into a single molecule. In vitro, several of 25 final compounds exerted excellent anti-AChE properties and interesting capabilities to block Aß aggregation. The best derivative of the series could be considered 10w that was found to be highly potent and selective towards AChE with the IC50 value in nanomolar range. Moreover, the same drug candidate exerted absolutely the best results of the series against ABAD, decreasing its activity by 23% at 100 µM concentration. Regarding the cytotoxicity profile of highlighted compound, it roughly matched that of its parent compound - 6-chlorotacrine. Finally, 10w was forwarded for in vivo scopolamine-induced amnesia experiment consisting of Morris Water Maze test, where it demonstrated mild procognitive effect. Taking into account all in vitro and in vivo data, highlighted derivative 10w could be considered as the lead structure worthy of further investigation.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , Benzothiazoles/pharmacology , Cholinergic Agents/pharmacology , Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology , Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology , Tacrine/pharmacology , 3-Hydroxyacyl CoA Dehydrogenases/antagonists & inhibitors , 3-Hydroxyacyl CoA Dehydrogenases/metabolism , Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism , Alzheimer Disease/metabolism , Amyloid beta-Peptides/antagonists & inhibitors , Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism , Benzothiazoles/chemistry , Cholinergic Agents/chemical synthesis , Cholinergic Agents/chemistry , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Enzyme Inhibitors/chemical synthesis , Enzyme Inhibitors/chemistry , Humans , Mitochondria/drug effects , Mitochondria/metabolism , Molecular Structure , Neuroprotective Agents/chemical synthesis , Neuroprotective Agents/chemistry , Protein Aggregates/drug effects , Structure-Activity Relationship , Tacrine/chemistry
14.
Eur J Med Chem ; 211: 113112, 2021 Feb 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33360800

ABSTRACT

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder with characteristic symptoms and several pathological hallmarks. The concept of "one drug, one target" has not generated any new drugs since 2004. The new era of drug development in the field of AD builds upon rationally designed multi-target directed ligands that can better address the complexity of AD. Herewith, we designed ten novel derivatives of 2-propargylamino-naphthoquinone. The biological evaluation of these compounds includes inhibition of monoamine oxidase A/B, inhibition of amyloid-beta aggregation, radical-scavenging, and metal-chelating properties. Some of the compounds possess low cytotoxicity profile with an anti-inflammatory ability in the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cellular model. All these features warrant their further testing in the field of AD.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , Naphthoquinones/therapeutic use , Drug Design , Humans , Naphthoquinones/pharmacology , Structure-Activity Relationship
15.
Bioorg Chem ; 103: 104179, 2020 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32891860

ABSTRACT

YNT-185 is the first known small molecule acting as orexin 2 receptor (OX2R) agonist with implication to narcolepsy treatment, served as a template scaffold in generating a small set of seven compounds with predictive affinity to OX2R. The design of the new small molecules was driven mostly by improving physicochemical properties of the parent drug YNT-185 in parallel with in silico studies, later suggesting their favorable binding modes within the active site of OX2R. We obtained seven new potential OX2R binders that were evaluated in vitro for their CNS availability, cytotoxicity, and behavior pattern on OX2R. Out of them, 15 emerged as the most potent modulator of OX2R, which, contrary to YNT-185, displayed inverse mode of action, i.e. antagonist profile. 15 was also submitted to an in vivo experiment revealing its ability to permeate through BBB into the brain with a short half-life.


Subject(s)
Aniline Compounds/therapeutic use , Benzamides/therapeutic use , Orexin Receptors/therapeutic use , Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/drug therapy , Aniline Compounds/pharmacology , Benzamides/pharmacology , Humans , Molecular Structure
16.
Eur J Med Chem ; 203: 112593, 2020 Oct 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32688201

ABSTRACT

Berberine, a naturally occurring compound, possesses an interesting multipotent pharmacological profile potentially applicable for Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatment. In this study, a series of novel 22 berberine derivatives was developed and tested in vitro. Berberine core was substituted at position 9-O of its aromatic ring region. All the hybrids under the study revealed multi-targeted profile inhibiting prolyl oligopeptidase, acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase highlighting 4a, 4g, 4j, 4l and 4s possessing balanced activities in the micromolar range. The top-ranked candidates in terms of the most pronounced potency against POP, AChE and BChE can be classified as 4d, 4u and 4v, bearing 4-methylbenzyl, (naphthalen-2-yl)methylene and 1-phenoxyethyl moieties, respectively. In vitro data were corroborated by detailed kinetic analysis of the selected lead molecules. 4d, 4u and 4v were also inspected for their potential to inhibit aggregation of two abberant proteins in AD, namely amyloid beta and tau, indicating their potential disease-modifying properties. To explain the results of our study, we carried out docking simulation to the active sites of the respective enzyme with the best berberine derivatives, along with QSAR study. We also investigated compounds' potential permeability through blood-brain barrier by applying parallel artificial membrane permeation assay and addressed their cytotoxicity profile.


Subject(s)
Berberine/chemistry , Berberine/pharmacology , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemistry , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Cholinesterases/metabolism , Drug Design , Prolyl Oligopeptidases/antagonists & inhibitors , Berberine/metabolism , Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism , Cell Line, Tumor , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/metabolism , Humans
17.
Bioorg Chem ; 90: 103084, 2019 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31271942

ABSTRACT

In the search for new treatments for complex disorders such as Alzheimer's disease the Multi-Target-Directed Ligands represent a very promising approach. The aim of the present study was to identify multifunctional compounds among several series of non-imidazole histamine H3 receptor ligands, derivatives of 1-[2-thiazol-5-yl-(2-aminoethyl)]-4-n-propylpiperazine, 1-[2-thiazol-4-yl-(2-aminoethyl)]-4-n-propylpiperazine and 1-phenoxyalkyl-4-(amino)alkylopiperazine using in vitro and in vivo pharmacological evaluation and computational studies. Performed in vitro assays showed moderate potency of tested compounds against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). Molecular modeling studies have revealed possible interactions between the active compounds and both AChE and BuChE as well as the human H3 histamine receptor. Computational studies showed the high drug-likeness of selected compounds with very good physicochemical profiles. The parallel artificial membrane permeation assay proved outstanding blood-brain barrier penetration in test conditions. The most promising compound, A12, chemically methyl(4-phenylbutyl){2-[2-(4-propylpiperazin-1-yl)-1,3-thiazol-5-yl]ethyl}amine, possesses good balanced multifunctional profile with potency toward studied targets - H3 antagonist activity (pA2 = 8.27), inhibitory activity against both AChE (IC50 = 13.96 µM), and BuChE (IC50 = 14.62 µM). The in vivo pharmacological studies revealed the anti-amnestic properties of compound A12 in the passive avoidance test on mice.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , Amnesia/drug therapy , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Disease Models, Animal , Piperazines/chemistry , Receptors, Histamine H3/metabolism , Acetylcholinesterase/chemistry , Adjuvants, Anesthesia/toxicity , Amnesia/chemically induced , Animals , Butyrylcholinesterase/chemistry , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemistry , Computational Biology , In Vitro Techniques , Ligands , Male , Mice , Models, Molecular , Molecular Structure , Receptors, Histamine H3/chemistry , Scopolamine/toxicity , Structure-Activity Relationship
18.
J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem ; 34(1): 877-897, 2019 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30938202

ABSTRACT

A combination of biochemical, biophysical and biological techniques was used to study calf thymus DNA interaction with newly synthesized 7-MEOTA-tacrine thiourea 12-17 and urea heterodimers 18-22, and to measure interference with type I and II topoisomerases. Their biological profile was also inspected in vitro on the HL-60 cell line using different flow cytometric techniques (cell cycle distribution, detection of mitochondrial membrane potential dissipation, and analysis of metabolic activity/viability). The compounds exhibited a profound inhibitory effect on topoisomerase activity (e.g. compound 22 inhibited type I topoisomerase at 1 µM concentration). The treatment of HL-60 cells with the studied compounds showed inhibition of cell growth especially with hybrids containing thiourea (14-17) and urea moieties (21 and 22). Moreover, treatment of human dermal fibroblasts with the studied compounds did not indicate significant cytotoxicity. The observed results suggest beneficial selectivity of the heterodimers as potential drugs to target cancer cells.


Subject(s)
Acridines/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Tacrine/pharmacology , Thiourea/pharmacology , A549 Cells , Acridines/chemical synthesis , Acridines/chemistry , Antineoplastic Agents/chemical synthesis , Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor , Fibroblasts/drug effects , HL-60 Cells , Humans , Structure-Activity Relationship , Tacrine/chemistry , Thiourea/chemistry
19.
Curr Alzheimer Res ; 16(4): 333-343, 2019.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30873921

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Based on the prevalence studies, the number of people suffering from dementia will almost double every 20 years, to 65.7 million in 2030 and 115.4 million in 2050, assuming no changes in mortality, effective preventative measures, definitive diagnostic guidelines or curative treatment. From the abovementioned epidemiological data, it is obvious that dementia constitutes a major public health problem not only at present, but unfortunately also in the future. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: Several N-alkylated tacrine (THA) derivatives have already been synthesized by Pomponi et al., in 1997. However, these compounds were tested for their anti-AChE activity using enzyme isolated from Electrophorus electricus. For this reason, we have decided to extend the previously reported series of THA derivatives and consequently test them in the battery of experiments, the results of which have served to more relevant evaluation of these compounds from the perspective of Alzeimer´s disease compared to that published by Pomponi. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In summary, all compounds of interest effectively inhibited ChEs in vitro. One of the most promising derivatives 8 bearing an N-octyl chain showed 2.5-fold higher AChE inhibitory activity in relation to tacrine. With respect to blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration, it can be claimed that synthesized analogues are presumably able to cross the BBB. From the point of view of hepatotoxicity, selected Nalkylated tacrine derivatives exerted worse results compared to tacrine. However, in vitro results are only illustrative, therefore, only in vivo experiments could determine the real value of selected N-alkylated THA derivatives.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Drug Discovery , Tacrine/analogs & derivatives , Tacrine/pharmacology , Hep G2 Cells , Humans
20.
Eur J Med Chem ; 167: 161-186, 2019 Apr 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30771604

ABSTRACT

Neuroinflammation and cholinergic deficit are key detrimental processes involved in Alzheimer's disease. Hence, in the search for novel and effective treatment strategies, the multi-target-directed ligand paradigm was applied to the rational design of two series of new hybrids endowed with anti-inflammatory and anticholinesterase activity via triple targeting properties, namely able to simultaneously hit cholinesterases, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX) enzymes. Among the synthesized compounds, triazoles 5b and 5d, and thiosemicarbazide hybrid 6e emerged as promising new hits, being able to effectively inhibit human butyrylcholinesterase (hBChE), COX-2 and 15-LOX enzymes with a higher inhibitory potency than the reference inhibitors tacrine (for hBChE inhibition), celecoxib (for COX-2 inhibition) and both NDGA and Zileuton (for 15-LOX inhibition). In addition, compound 6e proved to be a submicromolar mixed-type inhibitor of human acetylcholinesterase (hAChE). The anti-neuroinflammatory activity of the three most promising hybrids was confirmed in a cell-based assay using PC12 neuron cells, showing decreased expression levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß and TNF-α. Importantly, despite the structural resemblance to tacrine, they showed ideal safety profiles on hepatic and murine brain cell lines and were safe up to 100 µM when assayed in PC12 cells. All three hybrids were also predicted to have superior BBB permeability than tacrine in the PAMPA assay, and good physicochemical properties, drug-likeness and ligand efficiency indices. Finally, molecular docking studies highlighted key structural elements impacting selectivity and activity toward the selected target enzymes. To the best of our knowledge, compounds 5b, 5d and 6e are the first balanced, safe and multi-target compounds hitting the disease at the three mentioned hubs.


Subject(s)
Acetylcholine/deficiency , Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , Inflammation/drug therapy , Neurons/pathology , Alzheimer Disease/pathology , Animals , Cell Line , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemistry , Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors/chemistry , Drug Design , Humans , Lipoxygenase Inhibitors/chemistry , Mice , Molecular Docking Simulation , Neurons/drug effects , Neurons/enzymology , PC12 Cells , Rats , Semicarbazides/chemistry , Semicarbazides/pharmacology , Triazoles/chemistry , Triazoles/pharmacology
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