Structure-Based Design and Optimization of Multitarget-Directed 2H-Chromen-2-one Derivatives as Potent Inhibitors of Monoamine Oxidase B and Cholinesterases

J Med Chem. 2015 Jul 23;58(14):5561-78. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b00599. Epub 2015 Jul 9.

Abstract

The multifactorial nature of Alzheimer's disease calls for the development of multitarget agents addressing key pathogenic processes. To this end, by following a docking-assisted hybridization strategy, a number of aminocoumarins were designed, prepared, and tested as monoamine oxidases (MAOs) and acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterase (AChE and BChE) inhibitors. Highly flexible N-benzyl-N-alkyloxy coumarins 2-12 showed good inhibitory activities at MAO-B, AChE, and BChE but low selectivity. More rigid inhibitors, bearing meta- and para-xylyl linkers, displayed good inhibitory activities and high MAO-B selectivity. Compounds 21, 24, 37, and 39, the last two featuring an improved hydrophilic/lipophilic balance, exhibited excellent activity profiles with nanomolar inhibitory potency toward hMAO-B, high hMAO-B over hMAO-A selectivity and submicromolar potency at hAChE. Cell-based assays of BBB permeation, neurotoxicity, and neuroprotection supported the potential of compound 37 as a BBB-permeant neuroprotective agent against H2O2-induced oxidative stress with poor interaction as P-gp substrate and very low cytotoxicity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / metabolism
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / metabolism
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / toxicity
  • Cholinesterases / chemistry
  • Cholinesterases / metabolism*
  • Coumarins / chemistry*
  • Coumarins / metabolism
  • Coumarins / pharmacology*
  • Coumarins / toxicity
  • Dogs
  • Drug Design*
  • Humans
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Monoamine Oxidase / chemistry
  • Monoamine Oxidase / metabolism*
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / metabolism
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / toxicity
  • Permeability
  • Protein Conformation
  • Rats
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors
  • Coumarins
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
  • coumarin
  • Monoamine Oxidase
  • Cholinesterases