New Coumarin-Pyrazole hybrids: Synthesis, Docking studies and Biological evaluation as potential cholinesterase inhibitors

Exploring the Mechanism of Kai-Xin-San to Improve Cognitive Deficits in AD Rats Induced by D-Gal and Aβ25-35 Based on Multi-Omics and Network Analysis

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disease for which there are no effective drugs. Kai-Xin-San (KXS), with definite curative effects, is widely used for the prevention and treatment of AD in China. But its mechanism is not yet fully understood. Based on our established rat model and previous pharmacodynamics study, Multi-omics (metabolomics, proteomics) and network analysis were integrated to explore the holistic mechanism of anti-AD effects of KXS. The key pathways were validated with western blot and ELISA methods. Morris water maze and Nissl staining showed that KXS could ameliorate cognitive deficits and pathological morphology of the hippocampus in AD rats. A total of nine metabolites were identified, which were related to pyrimidine metabolism, riboflavin metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism. Proteomics results indicated that the improvement of cognitive deficits by KXS was closely related to the regulation of oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria. Western blotting results showed that KXS significantly inhibited the expression of Mt-nd2 and Ndufb6 in AD rats. Integrated analysis indicated that the anti-AD targets of KXS were interrelated and KXS could exert its anti-AD effect by reducing oxidative stress, neurotoxicity, and inflammation.

In Silico Study, Synthesis, and In Vitro Evaluation of Acetylcholinesterase and Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibitory Activity of Novel N-Thiazole Substituted Acetamide Coumarin Derivatives

In this study, a structurally directed pharmacophore hybridization technique is used to combine the two essential structural scaffolds coumarin and thiazoles in search of a new class of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibitor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). A library of 120 compounds was designed in two series 5a(1-15), 5b(16-30), 5c(31-45), 5d(46-60), and 6a(61-75), 6b(76-90), 6c(91-105), 6d(106-120) using various substituted phenol, β-ketoesters, and thiazole derivatives. Eleven compounds were identified as potential hybrids using molecular property filter analysis and molecular docking studies, and they comprise N-substituted thiazole coumarin derivatives. The docking results indicated that compounds 5b16 and 5c35 exhibited strong binding interactions with GLY116, GLY117, TYR332, and HIS438 (ranging from -27.42 to -24.18 kcal/mol) and GLY119, ASP72, and PHE288 (ranging from -32.21 to -25.92 kcal/mol) when tested against AChE (1EVE) and BuChE (1P0I) inhibitors. These compounds were synthesized via conventional methods and characterized by different spectroscopic methods. In vitro anti-cholinesterase activity results indicated that two compounds, for example, 5b16 and 5c35 showed potent to moderate activity against AChE and BuChE with IC50 (2.00 ± 0.09-29.63 ± 0.48) µM and (34.93 ± 0.62-17.92 ± 0.42) µM, respectively. Our study demonstrated the development of a novel class of hybrid coumarin thiazole derivatives as AChE and BuChE inhibitors, and these compounds could be utilized against ADs.

Naturally Inspired Coumarin Derivatives in Alzheimer's Disease Drug Discovery: Latest Advances and Current Challenges

The main feature of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, is the network of complex and not fully recognized neuronal pathways and targets involved in their onset and progression. The therapeutic treatment, at present mainly symptomatic, could benefit from a polypharmacological approach based on the development of a single molecular entity designed to simultaneously modulate different validated biological targets. This strategy is principally based on molecular hybridization, obtained by linking or merging different chemical moieties acting with synergistic and/or complementary mechanisms. The coumarin core, widely found in nature, endowed with a recognized broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, large synthetic accessibility and favourable pharmacokinetic properties, appears as a valuable, privileged scaffold to be properly modified in order to obtain compounds able to engage different selected targets. The scientific literature has long been interested in the multifaceted profiles of coumarin derivatives, and in this review, a survey of the most important results of the last four years, on both natural and synthetic coumarin-based compounds, regarding the development of anti-Alzheimer's compounds is reported.

Exploring the impact of novel thiazole-pyrazole fused benzo-coumarin derivatives on human serum albumin: Synthesis, photophysical properties, anti-cholinergic activity, and interaction studies

Derivatives of thiazole-pyrazole fused benzo-coumarin compounds were successfully synthesized and characterized, followed by a comprehensive spectroscopic investigation on various photophysical properties in different media. The multipronged approach using steady state and time resolved fluorescence spectroscopy pointed out the impact of substitution in the estimated spectroscopic and other physicochemical properties of the systems. Further, the evaluation of anti-acetylcholinesterase (anti-AChE) activity yielded significant insight into the therapeutic potential of the synthesized coumarinyl compounds for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The findings revealed a non-competitive mode of inhibition mechanism, with an estimated IC50 value of 67.72 ± 2.00 nM observed for one of the investigated systems as AChE inhibitor. Notably, this value is even lower than that of an FDA-approved AD drug Donepezil (DON), indicating the enhanced potency of the coumarin derivatives in inhibiting AChE. Interestingly, significant diminution in inhibition was observed in presence of human serum albumin (HSA) as evidenced by the relative increase in IC50 value by 8 ∼ 39 % in different cases, which emphasized the role of albumin proteins to control therapeutic efficacies of potential medications. In-depth spectroscopic and in-silico analysis quantified the nature of interactions of the investigated systems with HSA and AChE. Overall, the outcomes of this study provide significant understanding into the biophysical characteristics of novel thiazole-pyrazole fused benzo-coumarin systems, which could aid in the development of new cholinergic agents for the treatment of AD and materials based on coumarin motifs.

Design and Synthesis of Pyrazole Carboxamide Derivatives as Selective Cholinesterase and Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors: Molecular Docking and Biological Evaluation

The present study focused on the synthesis and characterization of novel pyrazole carboxamide derivatives (SA1-12). The inhibitory effect of the compounds on cholinesterases (ChEs; AChE and BChE) and carbonic anhydrases (hCAs; hCA I and hCA II) isoenzymes were screened as in vitro. These series compounds have been identified as potential inhibitors with a KI values in the range of 10.69±1.27-70.87±8.11 nM for hCA I, 20.01±3.48-56.63±6.41 nM for hCA II, 6.60±0.62-14.15±1.09 nM for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and 54.87±7.76-137.20 ±9.61 nM for butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). These compounds have a more effective inhibition effect when compared to the reference compounds. In addition, the potential binding positions of the compounds with high affinity for ChE and hCAs were demonstrated by in silico methods. The results of in silico and in vitro studies support each other. As a result of the present study, the compounds with high inhibitory activity for metabolic enzymes, such as ChE and hCA were designed. The compounds may be potential alternative agents used as selective ChE and hCA inhibitors in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and glaucoma.

Highly efficient, catalyst-free, one-pot sequential four-component synthesis of novel spiroindolinone-pyrazole scaffolds as anti-Alzheimer agents: in silico study and biological screening

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that impacts memory, thinking, and behavior, and currently, there is no effective cure available for its treatment. This study explored a one-pot strategy for synthesizing spiroindolinone-pyrazole derivatives through a sequential four-component condensation reaction. These derivatives were further investigated for their potential as anti-Alzheimer's disease agents. The developed synthetic procedure provides remarkable advantages, including a clean reaction profile, abundant starting materials, operational simplicity, and easy purification without traditional methods with good to excellent yields (84-96%). Next, the biological potencies of the newly synthesized spiroindolinone-pyrazole derivatives against AChE and BChE as Alzheimer's disease-related targets were determined. Also, the kinetic study and cytotoxicity of the most potent derivative were investigated. Furthermore, molecular docking and molecular dynamics evaluations were performed employing in silico tools to investigate the interaction, orientation, and conformation of the potent analog over the active site of the enzyme.

Assessment of Anticholinergic and Antidiabetic Properties of Some Natural and Synthetic Molecules: An In vitro and In silico Approach

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to determine the in vitro and in silico effects of some natural and synthetic molecules on acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and α-glucosidase enzymes.

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are considered the most important diseases of today's world. However, the side effects of therapeutic agents used in both diseases limit their use. Therefore, developing drugs with high therapeutic efficacy and better pharmacological profile is important.

OBJECTIVES

This study sets out to determine the related enzyme inhibitors used in treating AD and T2DM, considered amongst the most important diseases of today's world.

METHODS

In the current study, the in vitro and in silico effects of dienestrol, hesperetin, Lthyroxine, 3,3',5-Triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) and dobutamine molecules on AChE, BChE and α - glycosidase enzyme activities were investigated.

RESULTS

All the molecules showed an inhibitory effect on the enzymes. The IC50 and Ki values of the L-Thyroxine molecule, which showed the strongest inhibition effect for the AChE enzyme, were determined as 1.71 μM and 0.83 ± 0.195 μM, respectively. In addition, dienestrol, T3, and dobutamine molecules showed a more substantial inhibition effect than tacrine. The dobutamine molecule showed the most substantial inhibition effect for the BChE enzyme, and IC50 and Ki values were determined as 1.83 μM and 0.845 ± 0.143 μM, respectively. The IC50 and Ki values for the hesperetin molecule, which showed the strongest inhibition for the α -glycosidase enzyme, were determined as 13.57 μM and 12.33 ± 2.57 μM, respectively.

CONCLUSION

According to the results obtained, the molecules used in the study may be considered potential inhibitor candidates for AChE, BChE and α-glycosidase.

In Vitro Evaluation and Bioinformatics Analysis of Schiff Bases Bearing Pyrazole Scaffold as Bioactive Agents: Antioxidant, Anti-Diabetic, Anti-Alzheimer, and Anti-Arthritic

In continuation of our research programs for the discovery, production, and development of the pharmacological activities of molecules for various disease treatments, Schiff bases and pyrazole scaffold have a broad spectrum of activities in biological applications. In this context, this manuscript aims to evaluate and study Schiff base-pyrazole molecules as a new class of antioxidant (total antioxidant capacity, iron-reducing power, scavenging activity against DPPH, and ABTS radicals), anti-diabetic (α-amylase% inhibition), anti-Alzheimer's (acetylcholinesterase% inhibition), and anti-arthritic (protein denaturation% and proteinase enzyme% inhibitions) therapeutics. Therefore, the Schiff bases bearing pyrazole scaffold (22a, b and 23a, b) were designed and synthesized for evaluation of their antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-Alzheimer's, and anti-arthritic properties. The results for compound 22b demonstrated significant antioxidant, anti-diabetic (α-amylase% inhibition), and anti-Alzheimer's (ACE%) activities, while compound 23a demonstrated significant anti-arthritic activity. Prediction of in silico bioinformatics analysis (physicochemical properties, bioavailability radar, drug-likeness, and medicinal chemistry) of the target derivatives (22a, b and 23a, b) was performed. The molecular lipophilicity potential (MLP) of the derivatives 22a, b and 23a, b was measured to determine which parts of the surface are hydrophobic and which are hydrophilic. In addition, the molecular polar surface area (PSA) was measured to determine the polar surface area and the non-polar surface area of the derivatives 22a, b and 23a, b. This study could be useful to help pharmaceutical researchers discover a new series of potent agents that may act as an antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-Alzheimer, and anti-arthritic.

Triad pyrazole-thiazole-coumarin heterocyclic core effectively inhibit HSP and drive cancer cells to apoptosis

Intensive studies on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is spreading rapidly around the world and has a high mortality rate, is due to the lack of adequate preventive or curative treatment methods. Treating patients with HCC has become very challenging because of the heterogeneity in the patient population lead activation of different signaling pathways, and pathway crosstalk for patients. Therefore, understanding these molecular mechanisms and combining drugs with molecular therapies to overcome these drawbacks has become an area of utmost importance. In this study, the biological activities of the designed and characterized triad Pyrazole-Thiazol-Coumarin (PTC) compounds were determined by performing cell viability, qPCR array, apoptosis and cell cycle assays. One of the compounds (PTC10) implicitly suppresses multiple pathways (RAS/MAP kinase and PI3K-AKT) simultaneously. This action is provided by (i) arresting cancer cells at G2 phase, (ii) driving cancer cells to apoptosis and (iii) inhibiting HSP network. Remarkably, HSP is an apoptotic factor and help cancer cell to survive. HSP90 also coordinates with Cdk4/Cdc37, therefore inhibiting HSP both drives cells to arrest and apoptosis. ATP hydrolysis and aggregation assay further displayed specific HSP inhibition. Therefore, PTC provides a unique drug template for HCC treatment.

A Review on Recent Approaches on Molecular Docking Studies of Novel Compounds Targeting Acetylcholinesterase in Alzheimer Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative brain disorder that affects millions of people worldwide, is characterized by memory loss and cognitive decline. Low levels of acetylcholine and abnormal levels of beta-amyloid, T protein aggregation, inflammation, and oxidative stress, have been associated with AD, and therefore, research has been oriented towards the cholinergic system and primarily on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors. In this review, we are focusing on the discovery of AChE inhibitors using computer-based modeling and simulation techniques, covering the recent literature from 2018-2022. More specifically, the review discusses the structures of novel, potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and their binding mode to AChE, as well as the physicochemical requirements for the design of potential AChE inhibitors.

Development of spiro-3-indolin-2-one containing compounds of antiproliferative and anti-SARS-CoV-2 properties

A series of 1″-(alkylsulfonyl)-dispiro[indoline-3,2'-pyrrolidine-3',3″-piperidine]-2,4″-diones 6a‒o has been synthesized through regioselective multi-component azomethine dipolar cycloaddition reaction of 1-(alkylsulfonyl)-3,5-bis(ylidene)-piperidin-4-ones 3a‒h. X-ray diffraction studies (6b‒d,h) confirmed the structures. The majority of the synthesized analogs reveal promising antiproliferation properties against a variety of human cancer cell lines (MCF7, HCT116, A431 and PaCa2) with good selectivity index towards normal cell (RPE1). Some of the synthesized agents exhibit potent inhibitory properties against the tested cell lines with higher efficacies than the standard references (sunitinib and 5-fluorouracil). Compound 6m is the most potent. Multi-targeted inhibitory properties against EGFR and VEGFR-2 have been observed for the synthesized agents. Flow cytometry supports the antiproliferation properties and shows the tested agents as apoptosis and necrosis forming. Vero cell viral infection model demonstrates the anti-SARS-CoV-2 properties of the synthesized agents. Compound 6f is the most promising (about 3.3 and 4.8 times the potency of the standard references, chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine). QSAR models explain and support the observed biological properties.

Diverse and efficient catalytic applications of new cockscomb flower-like Fe3O4@SiO2@KCC-1@MPTMS@CuII mesoporous nanocomposite in the environmentally benign reduction and reductive acetylation of nitroarenes and one-pot synthesis of some coumarin compounds

In this research, Fe3O4@SiO2@KCC-1@MPTMS@CuII as a new cockscomb flower-like mesoporous nanocomposite was prepared and characterized by various techniques including Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), SEM-based energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), UV-Vis spectroscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) analyses. The as-prepared Fe3O4@SiO2@KCC-1@MPTMS@CuII mesoporous nanocomposite exhibited satisfactory catalytic activity in the reduction and reductive acetylation of nitroarenes in a water medium and solvent-free one-pot synthesis of some coumarin compounds including 3,3'-(arylmethylene)bis(4-hydroxy-2H-chromen-2-ones) (namely, bis-coumarins) (3a-n) and 2-amino-4-aryl-7,7-dimethyl-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-chromene-3-carbonitriles (6a-n) along with acceptable turnover numbers (TONs) and turnover frequencies (TOFs). Furthermore, the mentioned CuII-containing mesoporous nanocatalyst was conveniently recovered by a magnet from reaction environments and reused for at least seven cycles without any significant loss in activity, which confirms its good stability.