Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel styryl benzimidazole derivatives as probes for imaging of neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer's disease

A closer look at amyloid ligands, and what they tell us about protein aggregates

The accumulation of amyloid fibrils is characteristic of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease. Detecting these fibrils with fluorescent or radiolabelled ligands is one strategy for diagnosing and better understanding these diseases. A vast number of amyloid-binding ligands have been reported in the literature as a result. To obtain a better understanding of how amyloid ligands bind, we have compiled a database of 3457 experimental dissociation constants for 2076 unique amyloid-binding ligands. These ligands target Aβ, tau, or αSyn fibrils, as well as relevant biological samples including AD brain homogenates. From this database significant variation in the reported dissociation constants of ligands was found, possibly due to differences in the morphology of the fibrils being studied. Ligands were also found to bind to Aβ(1-40) and Aβ(1-42) fibrils with similar affinities, whereas a greater difference was found for binding to Aβ and tau or αSyn fibrils. Next, the binding of ligands to fibrils was shown to be largely limited by the hydrophobic effect. Some Aβ ligands do not fit into this hydrophobicity-limited model, suggesting that polar interactions can play an important role when binding to this target. Finally several binding site models were outlined for amyloid fibrils that describe what ligands target what binding sites. These models provide a foundation for interpreting and designing site-specific binding assays.

Aromatic Amines in Organic Synthesis. Part II. p-Aminocinnamaldehydes

Ten derivatives of p-aminocinnamic aldehydes were prepared from the reaction of either aromatic amines with dimethylaminoacrolein or benzaldehydes with acetaldehyde. Their chemical structure and purity were verified by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and IR spectroscopic methods. We found that the synthesis applying dimethylaminoacrolein as the reagent gets better yields than the one based on the reaction with acetaldehyde. The yields of the cinnamic aldehydes varied according to the type of the amino group and the number and position of the substituents. The basic spectroscopic properties of the p-aminocinnamic aldehydes are also described since the compounds may be a precursor for the synthesis of dyes for diverse applications, e.g., in medicine and optoelectronics.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Benzimidazole Derivatives as Potential Neuroprotective Agents in an Ethanol-Induced Rodent Model

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most devastating and progressive neurodegenerative disease in middle to elder aged people, which can be exacerbated by lifestyle factors. Recent longitudinal studies demonstrated that alcohol consumption exacerbates memory impairments in adults. However, the underlying mechanism of alcohol-induced memory impairment is still elusive. The increased cellular manifestation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the production of numerous proinflammatory markers play a critical role in the neurodegeneration and pathogenesis of AD. Therefore, reducing neurodegeneration by decreasing oxidative stress and neuroinflammation may provide a potential therapeutic roadmap for the treatment of AD. In this study, eight new benzimidazole acetamide derivatives (FP1, FP2, FP5-FP10) were synthesized and characterized to investigate its neuroprotective effects in ethanol-induced neurodegeneration in a rat model. Further, three derivatives (FP1, FP7, and FP8) were selected for in vivo molecular analysis based on preliminary in vitro antioxidant screening assay. Molecular docking analysis was performed to assess the affinity of synthesized benzimidazole acetamide derivatives against selected proinflammatory targets (TNF-α, IL-6). Biochemical analysis revealed elevated expression of neuroinflammatory markers (TNF-α, NF-κB, IL-6, NLRP3), increased cellular oxidative stress, and reduced antioxidant enzymes in ethanol-exposed rats brain. Notably, pretreatment with new benzimidazole acetamide derivatives (FP1, FP7, and FP8) significantly modulated the ethanol-induced memory deficits, oxidative stress, and proinflammatory markers (TNF-α, NF-κB, IL-6, NLRP3) in the cortex. The multipurpose nature of acetamide containing benzimidazole nucleus and its versatile affinity toward numerous receptors highlight its multistep targeting potential. These results indicated the neuroprotective potential of benzimidazole acetamide derivatives (FP1, FP7, and FP8) as novel therapeutic candidates in ethanol-induced neurodegeneration which may partially be due to inhibition of the neuroinflammatory-oxidative stress vicious cycle.

Synthesis and bioevaluation of technetium-99 m / rhenium labeled phenylquinoxaline derivatives as Tau imaging probes

Based on our previous research on the fluorinated phenylquinoxaline scaffold, in this study, different positions of N,N-dimethyl amino group, and alkyl linkers with various lengths were introduced into this scaffold to regulate their lipophilicity and binding affinity to Tau. Four novel ^99mTc/Re complexes with diethyl iminodiacetate chelator were synthesized and evaluated as Tau imaging tracers in the brain of Alzheimer's disease. Their specific binding to neurofibrillary tangles was verified by in vitro fluorescence staining and further confirmed by the results of immunofluorescence staining on the same brain sections from AD patient and Tg-tau mice. From in vitro binding assay using recombinant Tau aggregates, complex 4.2 with 6-N(CH₃)₂ and longer carbon chain (n = 4) displayed the highest affinity (K_d = 59.95 nM). [^99mTc]4.2 was achieved by the ligand exchange reaction between dicarboxylic precursor and [^99mTc(CO)₃(H₂O)₃]⁺ intermediate with radiochemical yield over 45%. Ex vivo biodistribution studies on normal ICR mice revealed that [^99mTc]4.2 exhibited moderate initial brain uptake (0.61% ID/g) and more structure optimizations are still required to improve the blood-brain barrier permeability.

Anticancer, antimicrobial and antioxidant potential of sterically tuned bis-N-heterocyclic salts

The current study was conducted to evaluate the antimicrobial, antioxidant, antileishmanial and cytotoxic potential of designed derivatives of 1,1′-(1,3-phenylenebis(methylene))bis(3-alkyl/aryl-1H-benzimidazol-3-ium) salts. The antibacterial potential of the test compounds was investigated against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and two methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains (MRSA10, MRSA11), where compound 6 showed the best results. For brine shrimp lethality bioassay (BSLB), compound 6 again showed up to 100% mortality at 200 μg/mL and 56.7% mortality at 6.25 μg/mL. Antileishmanial assay was performed against Leishmania tropica at 20 μg/mL dosage, where 6 showed the most promising activity with 16.26% survival (83.74% mortality; IC50=14.63 μg/mL). The anticancer potential of the selected benzimidazole derivatives was evaluated against two selected cell lines (human colorectal cancer, HCT-116 and breast adenocarcinoma, MCF-7) using sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Compound 6 was found to be the most effective cytotoxic compound with 75% inhibition of HCT-116 proliferation at 1 mg/mL concentration. Succinctly, 6 exhibited impressive pharmacological potential that might be attributed to its higher lipophilic character owing to the longer N-substituted alkyl chains when compared to the other test compounds.

New PET markers for the diagnosis of dementia

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To present the new PET markers that could become in the coming years, relevant to advanced clinical approaches to dementia diagnosis, drug trials, and treatment strategies and discuss their advantages and limitations.

RECENT FINDINGS

The most advanced new PET tracers are the markers of the amyloid plaques, the τ compounds and the tracers of the translocator protein as markers of neuroinflammation. The main advantages but also the weaknesses of each of these markers are discussed. The main pitfall remains the heterogeneity of the available results that cast doubt to a rapid introduction of these new ligands in clinical practice.

SUMMARY

With the advent of biomarkers in clinical management and findings of molecular neuroimaging studies in the evaluation of patients with suspected dementia, the impact of functional neuroimaging has increased considerably these last years and has been integrated into many clinical guidelines in the field of dementia. In addition to conventional single PET brain perfusion and dopaminergic neurotransmission, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET is used in advanced diagnosis procedures. Furthermore, new tracers are being developed to quantify key neuropathological features in the brain tissue as highly specific diagnosis is crucial to comply with the global medical and public health objectives in this domain. A strategic road map for further developments, adapted from the approach to cancer biomarkers, should be proposed so as to optimize the rationale of the PET-based molecular diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.

Shedding light on tau protein aggregation: the progress in developing highly selective fluorophores

The development of highly selective fluorophores for tau protein aggregates, a key feature of Alzheimer's disease, is highlighted.

Therapeutic evolution of benzimidazole derivatives in the last quinquennial period

Benzimidazole, a fused heterocycle bearing benzene and imidazole has gained considerable attention in the field of contemporary medicinal chemistry. The moiety is of substantial importance because of its wide array of pharmacological activities. This nitrogen containing heterocycle is a part of a number of therapeutically used agents. Moreover, a number of patents concerning this moiety in the last few years further highlight its worth. The present review covers the recent work published by scientists across the globe during last five years.

Highly Selective Tau-SPECT Imaging Probes for Detection of Neurofibrillary Tangles in Alzheimer's Disease

Neurofibrillary tangles composed of aggregates of hyperphosphorylated tau proteins are one of the neuropathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in addition to the deposition of β-amyloid plaques. Since the deposition of tau aggregates is closely associated with the severity of AD, the in vivo detection of tau aggregates may be useful as a biomarker for the diagnosis and progression of AD. In this study, we designed and synthesized a new series of radioiodinated benzoimidazopyridine (BIP) derivatives, and evaluated their utility as single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging agents targeting tau aggregates in AD brains. Five radioiodinated BIP derivatives were successfully prepared in high radiochemical yields and purities. In in vitro autoradiographic studies using postmortem AD brains, all BIP derivatives displayed high accumulation of radioactivity in the brain sections with abundant neurofibrillary tangles, while no marked radioactivity accumulation was observed in the brain sections with only β-amyloid aggregates, indicating that the BIP derivatives exhibited selective binding to tau aggregates. Biodistribution studies in normal mice showed high brain uptake at 2 min postinjection (3.5-4.7% ID/g) and rapid clearance at 60 min postinjection (0.04-0.23% ID/g), which is highly desirable for tau imaging agents. The results of the present study suggest that [¹²³I]BIP derivatives may be useful SPECT agents for the in vivo imaging of tau aggregates in AD.

Advances in the development of tau PET radiotracers and their clinical applications

Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative dementias belong to the family of tauopathies. These diseases are characterized by the deposition of insoluble tau aggregates possessing an enriched β-sheet structure. In vivo imaging of the tau deposits by positron emission tomography (PET) will facilitate the early and accurate diagnosis of these diseases, tracking of disease progression, assessment of disease severity, and prediction of disease prognosis. Furthermore, this technology is expected to play a vital role in the monitoring of treatment outcomes and in the selection of patients for the therapeutic trials of anti-dementia drugs. Recently, several tau PET tracers have been successfully developed and demonstrated as having high binding affinity and selectivity to tau protein deposits. Recent clinical studies using these tracers have demonstrated significant tracer retention in sites susceptible to tau deposition in Alzheimer's disease, as well as correlations with the disease severity and cognitive impairment in cases with dementia. These tracers, thus, have the potential to effectively diagnose the tauopathies. Further longitudinal assessment will clarify the effect of the tau deposition on the neurodegenerative process and cognitive decline and the interaction of tau with amyloid-β in the human brain.

Untangling tau imaging

In vivo imaging of tau deposits is providing a better understanding of the temporal and spatial tau deposition in the brain, allowing a more comprehensive insight into the causes, diagnoses, and potentially treatment of tauopathies such as Alzheimer's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal syndrome, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and some variants of frontotemporal lobar degeneration. The assessment of tau deposition in the brain over time will allow a deeper understanding of the relationship between tau and other variables such as cognition, genotype, and neurodegeneration, as well as assessing the role tau plays in ageing. Preliminary human studies suggest that tau imaging could also be used as a diagnostic, prognostic, and theranostic biomarker, as well as a surrogate marker for target engagement, patient recruitment, and efficacy monitoring for disease-specific therapeutic trials.

Imaging of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy with Bivalent (99m)Tc-Hydroxamamide Complexes

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), characterized by the deposition of amyloid aggregates in the walls of cerebral vasculature, is a major factor in intracerebral hemorrhage and vascular cognitive impairment and is also associated closely with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We previously reported ^99mTc-hydroxamamide (^99mTc-Ham) complexes with a bivalent amyloid ligand showing high binding affinity for β-amyloid peptide (Aβ(1–42)) aggregates present frequently in the form in AD. In this article, we applied them to CAA-specific imaging probes, and evaluated their utility for CAA-specific imaging. In vitro inhibition assay using Aβ(1–40) aggregates deposited mainly in CAA and a brain uptake study were performed for ^99mTc-Ham complexes, and all ^99mTc-Ham complexes with an amyloid ligand showed binding affinity for Aβ(1–40) aggregates and very low brain uptake. In vitro autoradiography of human CAA brain sections and ex vivo autoradiography of Tg2576 mice were carried out for bivalent ^99mTc-Ham complexes ([^99mTc]SB2A and [^99mTc]BT2B), and they displayed excellent labeling of Aβ depositions in human CAA brain sections and high affinity and selectivity to CAA in transgenic mice. These results may offer new possibilities for the development of clinically useful CAA-specific imaging probes based on the ^99mTc-Ham complex.

Tau imaging in the study of ageing, Alzheimer's disease, and other neurodegenerative conditions

In vivo tau imaging allows a deeper understanding of tau deposition in the brain, providing insights into the causes, diagnosis and treatment of primary and secondary tauopathies such as Alzheimer's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal syndrome, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and some variants of frontotemporal lobar degeneration. The cross-sectional and longitudinal assessment of the temporal and spatial patterns of tau deposition in the brain will allow a better understanding of the role tau plays in ageing as well as its relationship with cognition, genotype, and neurodegeneration. It is likely that selective tau imaging could be used as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker of disease progression, as well as a surrogate marker for monitoring of efficacy and patient recruitment for disease-specific therapeutic trials.

In vivo tau imaging: obstacles and progress

The military conflicts of the last decade have highlighted the growing problem of traumatic brain injury in combatants returning from the battlefield. The considerable evidence pointing at the accumulation of tau aggregates and its recognition as a risk factor in neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease have led to a major effort to develop selective tau ligands that would allow research into the physiopathologic underpinnings of traumatic brain injury and chronic traumatic encephalopathy in military personnel and the civilian population. These tracers will allow new insights into tau pathology in the human brain, facilitating research into causes, diagnosis, and treatment of traumatic encephalopathy and major neurodegenerative dementias, such as Alzheimer's disease and some variants of frontotemporal lobar degeneration, in which tau plays a role. The field of selective tau imaging has to overcome several obstacles, some of them associated with the idiosyncrasies of tau aggregation and others related to radiotracer design. A worldwide effort has focused on the development of imaging agents that will allow selective tau imaging in vivo. Recent progress in the development of these tracers is enabling the noninvasive assessment of the extent of tau pathology in the brain, eventually allowing the quantification of changes in tau pathology over time and its relation to cognitive performance, brain volumetrics, and other biomarkers, as well as assessment of efficacy and patient recruitment for antitau therapeutic trials.

Novel PET/SPECT probes for imaging of tau in Alzheimer's disease

As the world's population ages, the number of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) is predicted to increase rapidly. The presence of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), composed of hyperphosphorylated tau protein, is one of the neuropathological hallmarks of AD brain. Since the presence of NFTs is well correlated with neurodegeneration and cognitive decline in AD, imaging of tau using positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is useful for presymptomatic diagnosis and monitoring of the progression of AD. Therefore, novel PET/SPECT probes for the imaging of tau have been developed. More recently, several probes were tested clinically and evaluated for their utility. This paper reviews the current state of research on the development and evaluation of PET/SPECT probes for the imaging of tau in AD brain.

Comprehensive Review in Current Developments of Benzimidazole-Based Medicinal Chemistry

The properties of benzimidazole and its derivatives have been studied over more than one hundred years. Benzimidazole derivatives are useful intermediates/subunits for the development of molecules of pharmaceutical or biological interest. Substituted benzimidazole derivatives have found applications in diverse therapeutic areas such as antiulcer, anticancer agents, and anthelmintic species to name just a few. This work systematically gives a comprehensive review in current developments of benzimidazole-based compounds in the whole range of medicinal chemistry as anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic agents, anti-HIV, antioxidant, anticonvulsant, antitubercular, antidiabetic, antileishmanial, antihistaminic, antimalarial agents, and other medicinal agents. This review will further be helpful for the researcher on the basis of substitution pattern around the nucleus with an aim to help medicinal chemists for developing an SAR on benzimidazole drugs/compounds.

Ginsenoside Rg1 decreases neurofibrillary tangles accumulation in retina by regulating activities of neprilysin and PKA in retinal cells of AD mice model

Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) are the major component of senile plaques in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the mechanism causing NFTs accumulation in AD patients' retina is also elusive. Thus, we investigated the effects of ginsenoside Rg1 on NFTs accumulation in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells isolated form double transgenic APP/PS1 mice model. NFTs amounts in culture supernatants were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Activity and mRNA transcription of enzymes and proteins that regulate NFTs accumulation were examined by activity assay and reverse transcription PCR. The expression of neprilysin (NEP) and neutral endopeptidase (PKA) were detected by western blot assay. Rg1 significantly decreased NFTs accumulation in isolated RPE cells. Activity of NEP was significantly increased, and activity of PKA was significantly decreased in cell lysates of Rg1-feeding APP/PS1 mice compared with non-Rg1-feeding mice. mRNA level of NEP was significantly higher and mRNA level of PKA was significantly lower in cells of Rg1-feeding mice than nonfeeding mice. The phosphorylation of tau at Thr231, Thr205, and Ser396 were significantly decreased in RPE of Rg1-feeding APP/PS1 mice compared with the non-Rg1-feeding mice. Rg1 decreased the NFTs production in RPE cell of APP/PS1 mice by modulating the expression and activity of NEP and PKA, which perform the function through downregulating the phosphorylation of tau protein.