Tacrine Derivatives and Alzheimers Disease

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of imine resveratrol derivatives as multi-targeted agents against Alzheimer's disease

A series of imine resveratrol derivatives (1-20) have been designed, synthesized, and evaluated as multi-targeted compounds for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In vitro studies show that most of the molecules exhibit a significant ability to inhibit self-induced and Cu(2+)-induced β-amyloid (Aβ₁₋₄₂) aggregation, and to function as potential antioxidants and biometal chelators. In particular, compound 9 is a potential lead compound for AD treatment (for compound 9, IC₅₀ = 14.1 μM for the antioxidant activity using DPPH free radical method; 64.6% at 20 μM for self-induced Aβ aggregation). Moreover, it is capable of decreasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by Cu-Aβ and shows good neuroprotective effects in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Taken together, these results suggest that 9 might be a promising lead compound for AD treatment.

Crystal structures of human cholinesterases in complex with huprine W and tacrine: elements of specificity for anti-Alzheimer's drugs targeting acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterase

The multifunctional nature of Alzheimer's disease calls for MTDLs (multitarget-directed ligands) to act on different components of the pathology, like the cholinergic dysfunction and amyloid aggregation. Such MTDLs are usually on the basis of cholinesterase inhibitors (e.g. tacrine or huprine) coupled with another active molecule aimed at a different target. To aid in the design of these MTDLs, we report the crystal structures of hAChE (human acetylcholinesterase) in complex with FAS-2 (fasciculin 2) and a hydroxylated derivative of huprine (huprine W), and of hBChE (human butyrylcholinesterase) in complex with tacrine. Huprine W in hAChE and tacrine in hBChE reside in strikingly similar positions highlighting the conservation of key interactions, namely, π-π/cation-π interactions with Trp86 (Trp82), and hydrogen bonding with the main chain carbonyl of the catalytic histidine residue. Huprine W forms additional interactions with hAChE, which explains its superior affinity: the isoquinoline moiety is associated with a group of aromatic residues (Tyr337, Phe338 and Phe295 not present in hBChE) in addition to Trp86; the hydroxyl group is hydrogen bonded to both the catalytic serine residue and residues in the oxyanion hole; and the chlorine substituent is nested in a hydrophobic pocket interacting strongly with Trp439. There is no pocket in hBChE that is able to accommodate the chlorine substituent.

Phase I study on the pharmacokinetics and tolerance of ZT-1, a prodrug of huperzine A, for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

AIM

Huperzine A isolated from the Chinese herb Huperzia serrata (Thunb) Trev is a novel reversible and selective AChE inhibitor. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and tolerance of single and multiple doses of ZT-1, a novel analogue of huperzine A, in healthy Chinese subjects.

METHODS

This was a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized, single- and multiple-dose study. For the single-dose study, 9 subjects were randomly divided into 3 groups receiving ZT-1 (0.5, 0.75 or 1 mg, po) according to a Three-way Latin Square Design. For the multiple-dose study, 9 subjects receiving ZT-1 (0.75 mg/d, po) for 8 consecutive days. In the tolerance study, 40 subjects were randomly divided into 5 groups receiving a single dose of ZT-1 (0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25 or 1.5 mg, po). Plasma and urine concentrations of ZT-1 and Hup A were determined using LC-MS/MS. Pharmacokinetic parameters, including Cmax, AUC0-72 h and AUC0-∞ were calculated. Tolerance assessments were conducted throughout the study.

RESULTS

ZT-1 was rapidly absorbed and converted into huperzine A, thus the plasma and urine concentrations of ZT-1 were below the limit of quantification (<0.05 ng/mL). After single-dose administration of ZT-1, the mean tmax of huperzine A was 0.76-0.82 h; the AUC0-72 h and Cmax of huperzine A showed approximately dose-proportional increase over the dose range of 0.5-1 mg. After the multiple-dose administration of ZT-1, a steady-state level of huperzine A was achieved within 2 d. No serious adverse events were observed.

CONCLUSION

ZT-1 is a pro-drug that is rapidly absorbed and converted into huperzine A, and ZT-1 is well tolerated in healthy Chinese volunteers.

Design, synthesis and evaluation of novel tacrine-coumarin hybrids as multifunctional cholinesterase inhibitors against Alzheimer's disease

A series of tacrine-coumarin hybrids (8a-t) were designed, synthesized and evaluated as multifunctional cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitors against Alzheimer's disease (AD). The screening results showed that most of them exhibited a significant ability to inhibit ChE and self-induced β-amyloid (Aβ) aggregation, and to act as metal chelators. Especially, 8f displayed the greatest ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE, IC50 = 0.092 μM) and Aβ aggregation (67.8%, 20 μM). It was also a good butyrylcholinesterase inhibitor (BuChE, IC50 = 0.234 μM) and metal chelator. Besides, kinetic and molecular modeling studies indicated that 8f was a mixed-type inhibitor, binding simultaneously to active, peripheral and mid-gorge sites of AChE. These results suggested that 8f might be an excellent multifunctional agent for AD treatment.

Structure-based search for new inhibitors of cholinesterases

Cholinesterases are important biological targets responsible for regulation of cholinergic transmission, and their inhibitors are used for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. To design new cholinesterase inhibitors, of different structure-based design strategies was followed, including the modification of compounds from a previously developed library and a fragment-based design approach. This led to the selection of heterodimeric structures as potential inhibitors. Synthesis and biological evaluation of selected candidates confirmed that the designed compounds were acetylcholinesterase inhibitors with IC₅₀ values in the mid-nanomolar to low micromolar range, and some of them were also butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors.

Bismuth compounds in medicinal chemistry

In recent years, the chemical potential of bismuth and bismuth compounds has been actively exploited. Bismuth salts are known for their low toxicity, making them potential valuable reagents for large-scale synthesis, which becomes more obvious when dealing with products such as active pharmaceutical ingredients or synthetic intermediates. Conversely, bismuth compounds have been widely used in medicine. After extensive use in the treatments of syphilis and other bacterial infections before the advent of modern antibiotics, bismuth compounds remain important for the treatment of several gastrointestinal disorders and also exhibit antimicrobial properties and cytotoxic activity, among others. This review updates relevant advances in the past few years, concerning the application of bismuth reagents and catalysts in innovative synthetic processes for the preparation of compounds of medicinal interest, as well as the preparation, biological evaluation and potential medicinal uses of bismuth compounds.

Neuroprotective Tri- and Tetracyclic BChE Inhibitors Releasing Reversible Inhibitors upon Carbamate Transfer

Tri- and tetracyclic nitrogen-bridgehead compounds were designed and synthesized to yield micromolar cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitors. Structure-activity relationships identified potent compounds with butyrylcholinesterase selectivity. These compounds were selected as starting points for the design and synthesis of carbamate-based (pseudo)irreversible inhibitors. Compounds with superior inhibitory activity and selectivity were obtained and kinetically characterized also with regard to the velocity of enzyme carbamoylation. Structural elements were identified and introduced that additionally showed neuroprotective properties on a hippocampal neuronal cell line (HT-22) after glutamate-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species generation. We have identified potent and selective pseudoirreversible butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors that release reversible inhibitors with neuroprotective properties after carbamate transfer to the active site of cholinesterases.

2,3-dihydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]quinoline derivatives as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors-synthesis, radiolabeling and biodistribution

In the present study we describe the synthesis and biological assessment of new tacrine analogs in the course of inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. The obtained molecules were synthesized in a condensation reaction between activated 6-BOC-hydrazinopyridine-3-carboxylic acid and 8-aminoalkyl derivatives of 2,3-dihydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]quinoline. Activities of the newly synthesized compounds were estimated by means of Ellman’s method. Compound 6h (IC₅₀ = 3.65 nM) was found to be most active. All obtained novel compounds present comparable activity to that of tacrine towards acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and, simultaneously, lower activity towards butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). Apart from 6a, all synthesized compounds are characterized by a higher affinity for AChE and a lower affinity for BChE in comparison with tacrine. Among all obtained molecules, compound 6h presented the highest selectivity towards inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. Molecular modeling showed that all compounds demonstrated a similar binding mode with AChE and interacted with catalytic and peripheral sites of AChE. Also, a biodistribution study of compound 6a radiolabeled with ^99mTc was performed.

Tacrine-6-ferulic acid, a novel multifunctional dimer, inhibits amyloid-β-mediated Alzheimer's disease-associated pathogenesis in vitro and in vivo

We have previously synthesized a series of hybrid compounds by linking ferulic acid to tacrine as multifunctional agents based on the hypotheses that Alzheimer's disease (AD) generates cholinergic deficiency and oxidative stress. Interestingly, we found that they may have potential pharmacological activities for treating AD. Here we report for the first time that tacrine-6-ferulic acid (T6FA), one of these compounds, can prevent amyloid-β peptide (Aβ)-induced AD-associated pathological changes in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that T6FA significantly inhibited auto- and acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-induced aggregation of Aβ_1–40in vitro and blocked the cell death induced by Aβ_1–40 in PC12 cells. In an AD mouse model by the intracerebroventricular injection of Aβ_1–40, T6FA significantly improved the cognitive ability along with increasing choline acetyltransferase and superoxide dismutase activity, decreasing AChE activity and malondialdehyde level. Based on our findings, we conclude that T6FA may be a promising multifunctional drug candidate for AD.

New acetylcholinesterase inhibitors for Alzheimer's disease

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) remains a highly viable target for the symptomatic improvement in Alzheimer's disease (AD) because cholinergic deficit is a consistent and early finding in AD. The treatment approach of inhibiting peripheral AchE for myasthenia gravis had effectively proven that AchE inhibition was a reachable therapeutic target. Subsequently tacrine, donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine were developed and approved for the symptomatic treatment of AD. Since then, multiple cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEI) continue to be developed. These include newer ChEIs, naturally derived ChEIs, hybrids, and synthetic analogues. In this paper, we summarize the different types of ChEIs in development and their respective mechanisms of actions. This pharmacological approach continues to be active with many promising compounds.

Cystamine-tacrine dimer: a new multi-target-directed ligand as potential therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease treatment

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, clinically characterized by loss of memory and progressive deficits in different cognitive domains. An emerging disease-modifying approach to face the multifactorial nature of AD may be represented by the development of Multi-Target Directed Ligands (MTDLs), i.e., single compounds which may simultaneously modulate different targets involved in the neurodegenerative AD cascade. The structure of tacrine, an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor (AChEI), has been widely used as scaffold to provide new MTDLs. In particular, its homodimer bis(7)tacrine represents an interesting lead compound to design novel MTDLs. Thus, in the search of new rationally designed MTDLs against AD, we replaced the heptamethylene linker of bis(7)tacrine with the structure of cystamine, leading to cystamine-tacrine dimer. In this study we demonstrated that the cystamine-tacrine dimer is endowed with a lower toxicity in comparison to bis(7)tacrine, it is able to inhibit AChE, butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), self- and AChE-induced beta-amyloid aggregation in the same range of the reference compound and exerts a neuroprotective action on SH-SY5Y cell line against H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative injury. The investigation of the mechanism of neuroprotection showed that the cystamine-tacrine dimer acts by activating kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and Akt/protein kinase B (PKB) pathways. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder'.

Synergistic inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase by galantamine and citalopram

BACKGROUND

Many persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD) treated with galantamine appear to receive additional cognitive benefit from citalopram. Both drugs inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). These enzymes co-regulate acetylcholine catabolism. In AD brain, AChE is diminished while BuChE is not, suggesting BuChE inhibition may be important in raising acetylcholine levels. BuChE is subject to activation at high acetylcholine levels reached at the synaptic cleft. The present study explores one way combining galantamine and citalopram could be beneficial in AD.

METHODS

Spectrophotometric studies of BuChE catalysis in the absence or presence of galantamine or citalopram or both, were performed using the Ellman method. Data analysis involved expansion of our previous equation describing BuChE catalysis.

RESULTS

Galantamine almost completely inhibited BuChE at low substrate concentrations (V(S)=43.6 μM/min; V(S(gal))=0.34 μM/min) without influencing the substrate-activated form of the enzyme (V(SS)=64.0 μM/min;V(SS(gal))=62.3 μM/min). Conversely, citalopram inhibited both un-activated (V(S)=43.6 μM/min; V(S(cit))=10.2 μM/min) and substrate-activated (V(SS)=64.0 μM/min; V(SS(cit))=47.3 μM/min) forms of BuChE. Combined galantamine and citalopram increased inhibition of un-activated BuChE (V(S)=43.6 μM/min; V(S(gal)(cit))=2.73 μM/min) and substrate-activated form (V(SS)=64.0 μM/min; V(SS(gal)(cit))=42.2 μM/min).

CONCLUSION

Citalopram and galantamine produce a combined inhibition of BuChE that is considered to be synergistic.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

Clinical benefit from combined galantamine and citalopram may be related to a synergistic inhibition of BuChE, facilitating cholinergic neurotransmission. This emphasizes the importance of further study into use of drug combinations in AD treatment.

Neurotherapeutic applications of nanoparticles in Alzheimer's disease

A rapid increase in incidence of neurodegenerative disorders has been observed with the aging of the population. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder among the elderly. It is characterized by memory dysfunction, loss of lexical access, spatial and temporal disorientation and impairment of judgement clinically. Unfortunately, clinical development of drugs for the symptomatic and disease-modifying treatment of AD has resulted in both promise and disappointment. Indeed, a large number of drugs with differing targets and mechanisms of action were investigated with only a few of them being clinically available. The targeted drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS), for the diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as AD, is restricted due to the limitations posed by the blood-brain barrier (BBB) as well as due to opsonization by plasma proteins in the systemic circulation and peripheral side-effects. Over the last decade, nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery represents one promising strategy to successfully increase the CNS penetration of several therapeutic moieties. Different nanocarriers are being investigated to treat and diagnose AD by delivering at a constant rate a host of therapeutics over times extending up to days, weeks or even months. This review provides a concise incursion on the current pharmacotherapies for AD besides reviewing and discussing the literature on the different drug molecules that have been successfully encapsulated in nanoparticles (NPs). Some of them have been shown to cross the BBB and have been tested either for diagnosis or treatment of AD. Finally, the route of NPs administration and the future prospects will be discussed.