Development and crystallography-aided SAR studies of multifunctional BuChE inhibitors and 5-HT6R antagonists with β-amyloid anti-aggregation properties

The lack of an effective treatment makes Alzheimer's disease a serious healthcare problem and a challenge for medicinal chemists. Herein we report interdisciplinary research on novel multifunctional ligands targeting proteins and processes involved in the development of the disease: BuChE, 5-HT6 receptors and beta-amyloid aggregation. Structure-activity relationship analyses supported by crystallography and docking studies led to the identification of a fused-type multifunctional ligand 50, with remarkable and balanced potencies against BuChE (IC50 = 90 mu M) and 5-HT6R (Ki = 4.8 nM), and inhibitory activity against Ab aggregation (53% at 10 mM). In in vitro ADME-Tox and in vivo pharmacokinetic studies compound 50 showed good stability in the mouse liver microsomes, favourable safety profile and brain permeability with the brain to plasma ratio of 6.79 after p.o. administration in mice, thus being a promising candidate for in vivo pharmacology studies and a solid foundation for further research on effective anti-AD therapies. (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

Automated summary

The lack of effective treatment makes Alzheimer's disease a serious healthcare problem, but the novel multifunctional ligand 50 shows promise as a candidate for effective anti-AD therapy and provides a solid foundation for further research.