Design and development of some phenyl benzoxazole derivatives as a potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitor with antioxidant property to enhance learning and memory

Eur J Med Chem. 2019 Feb 1:163:116-135. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.11.049. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Abstract

Based on the Gaussian-based quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) and virtual screening (VS) processes, some promising acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) having antioxidant potential were designed synthesized, characterized, and evaluated for their ability to enhance learning and memory. The synthesized phenyl benzoxazole derivatives exhibited significant antioxidant potential and AChE inhibitory activity, whereas the antioxidant potential of compound 34 (49.6%) was observed significantly better than standard donepezil (<10%) and parallel to ascorbic acid (56.6%). Enzyme kinetics study of most potent compound 34 (AChE IC50 = 0.363 ± 0.017 μM; Ki = 0.19 ± 0.03 μM) revealed the true nature and competitive type of inhibition on AChE. The compound 34 was further assessed for in vivo and ex vivo studies and the results showed the significant reversal of cognitive deficits and antioxidant potential at the dose of 5 mg/kg comparable to standard drug donepezil.

Keywords: Acetylcholinesterase; Antioxidant; Benzoxazole; Butyrylcholinesterase; QSAR.

MeSH terms

  • Antioxidants / chemical synthesis
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Benzoxazoles / chemical synthesis*
  • Benzoxazoles / pharmacology
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Drug Design*
  • Humans
  • Learning / drug effects
  • Memory / drug effects
  • Pharmacokinetics
  • Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Benzoxazoles
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors