A novel series of ferulic acid-memoquin hybrids were designed, synthesized and evaluated as multifunctional agents for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The in vitro studies showed that most of the compounds exhibited a significant ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) (IC50 of 3.2-34.7μM) and self-induced β-amyloid (Aβ1-42) aggregation (30.8-39.1%, 25μM), to act as potential antioxidants (ORAC-FL value of 0.9-1.3). In particular, compound 17d had the greatest ability to inhibit AChE (IC50=3.2μM), and Aβ1-42 aggregation (30.8%) was also an excellent antioxidant and neuroprotectant. Moreover, it is capable of disaggregating self-induced Aβ aggregation. Furthermore, 17d could cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in vitro. The results showed that compound 17d is a potential multifunctional agent for the treatment of AD.
Keywords: AChE inhibitor; Alzheimer’s disease; Antioxidant; Aβ aggregation inhibitor; Hybrids; Neuroprotectant.
Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.