The development of advanced structural framework as multi-target-directed ligands for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Novel deoxyvasicinone and tetrahydro-beta-carboline hybrids as inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase and amyloid beta aggregation

A novel series of deoxyvasicinone-tetrahydro-beta-carboline hybrids were synthesized and evaluated as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) aggregation inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The results revealed that the derivatives had multifunctional profiles, including AChE inhibition, Aβ_1-42 aggregation inhibition, and neuroprotective properties. Inspiringly, hybrids 8b and 8d displayed excellent inhibitory activities against hAChE (IC₅₀ = 0.93 and 1.08 nM, respectively) and Aβ_1-42 self-aggregation (IC₅₀ = 19.71 and 2.05 μM, respectively). In addition, 8b and 8d showed low cytotoxicity and good neuroprotective activity against Aβ_1-42-induced damage in SH-SY5Y cells.

Network pharmacological systems study of Huang-Lian-Tang in the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) has a poor prognosis and its recurrence and mortality rates are high. At present, there is no effective clinical method to control its progression and recurrence. Traditional Chinese Medicine has a high status not only in China, but also in the world. Certain drugs are also used in the clinical treatment of tumor diseases. In clinical practice, Huang-Lian-Tang (HLT) has proven efficacy in treating brain diseases and preventing tumor recurrence. However, the mechanisms of action have remained elusive. The present study explored the potential mechanisms of HLT in the treatment of gliomas based on network pharmacology. First, information on the composition of HLT was obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform, and the composition and targets of the chemical substances contained in the herbs were analyzed. Subsequently, a pharmacological interaction network for HLT was built. Furthermore, the expressed genes of patients with GBM were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus database and screened. A protein-protein interaction network was then constructed for both sets of data and they were combined with a topology method for analysis. Finally, the screened genes were subjected to enrichment analysis and pathway analysis. A total of 386 candidate targets and 7 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were screened, which were mainly associated with amino acid metabolism. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis and KEGG signal pathway analysis indicated that these targets are involved in anti-apoptosis, anti-oxidative stress, multicellular biological processes and other physiological and pathological processes related to the occurrence and development of GBM. In conclusion, the present results indicated that the mechanisms of action of HLT against GBM involve multiple targets and signaling pathways that are related to tumorigenesis and progression. The present study not only provided a novel theoretical basis for Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat tumors but also novel ideas for the treatment of GBM.

Design and synthesis of multi-target directed 1,2,3-triazole-dimethylaminoacryloyl-chromenone derivatives with potential use in Alzheimer's disease

To discover multifunctional agents for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a new series of 1,2,3-triazole-chromenone derivatives were designed and synthesized based on the multi target-directed ligands approach. The in vitro biological activities included acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibition as well as anti-Aβ aggregation, neuroprotective effects, and metal-chelating properties. The results indicated a highly selective BuChE inhibitory activity with an IC₅₀ value of 21.71 μM for compound 10h as the most potent compound. Besides, compound 10h could inhibit self-induced Aβ_1–42 aggregation and AChE-induced Aβ aggregation with 32.6% and 29.4% inhibition values, respectively. The Lineweaver–Burk plot and molecular modeling study showed that compound 10h targeted both the catalytic active site (CAS) and peripheral anionic site (PAS) of BuChE. It should be noted that compound 10h was able to chelate biometals. Thus, the designed scaffold could be considered as multifunctional agents in AD drug discovery developments.