Synthesis, in vitro evaluation and molecular docking of a new class of indolylpropyl benzamidopiperazines as dual AChE and SERT ligands for Alzheimer’s disease

• Published in: European journal of medicinal chemistry Vol. 198; p. 112368
• Main Authors: Rodríguez-Lavado, Julio, Gallardo-Garrido, Carlos, Mallea, Michael, Bustos, Victor, Osorio, Rodrigo, Hödar-Salazar, Martín, Chung, Hery, Araya-Maturana, Ramiro, Lorca, Marcos, Pessoa-Mahana, C. David, Mella-Raipán, Jaime, Saitz, Claudio, Jaque, Pablo, Reyes-Parada, Miguel, Iturriaga-Vásquez, Patricio, Pessoa-Mahana, Hernán
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: ISSY-LES-MOULINEAUX Elsevier Masson SAS 15.07.2020; Elsevier
• Subjects: Acetylcholinesterase - metabolism; AChE; Alzheimer Disease - drug therapy; Alzheimer’s disease; Amyloid beta-Peptides - metabolism; Animals; Antidepressive Agents - chemical synthesis; Antidepressive Agents - pharmacology; Cell Line; Chemistry, Medicinal; Cholinesterase Inhibitors - chemical synthesis; Cholinesterase Inhibitors - pharmacology; Donepezil - chemistry; Drug Design; Dual-active compounds; Humans; Indole derivatives; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Mice; Molecular Docking Simulation; Multitarget; Neuroblastoma; Pharmacology & Pharmacy; Piperazines - chemical synthesis; Piperazines - pharmacology; Protein Conformation; Science & Technology; Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins - metabolism; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors - chemical synthesis; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors - pharmacology; SERT; Structure-Activity Relationship; AChE; SERT; Alzheimer’s disease; Multitarget; Indole derivatives; Dual-active compounds; MODERATE; TARGET-DIRECTED LIGANDS; BCR-ABL INHIBITORS; PROTEIN; 5-HT6 RECEPTORS; BETA; ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE; HYPOTHESIS; OPTIMIZATION; Alzheimer's disease; DERIVATIVES
• ISSN: 0223-5234; 1768-3254
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112368

During the last decade, the one drug-one target strategy has resulted to be inefficient in facing diseases with complex ethiology like Alzheimer’s disease and many others. In this context, the multitarget paradigm has emerged as a promising strategy. Based on this consideration, we aim to develop novel molecules as promiscuous ligands acting in two or more targets at the same time. For such purpose, a new series of indolylpropyl-piperazinyl oxoethyl-benzamido piperazines were synthesized and evaluated as multitarget-directed drugs for the serotonin transporter (SERT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The ability to decrease β-amyloid levels as well as cell toxicity of all compounds were also measured. In vitro results showed that at least four compounds displayed promising activity against SERT and AChE. Compounds 18 and 19 (IC50 = 3.4 and 3.6 μM respectively) exhibited AChE inhibition profile in the same order of magnitude as donepezil (DPZ, IC50 = 2.17 μM), also displaying nanomolar affinity in SERT. Moreover, compounds 17 and 24 displayed high SERT affinities (IC50 = 9.2 and 1.9 nM respectively) similar to the antidepressant citalopram, and significant micromolar AChE activity at the same time. All the bioactive compounds showed a low toxicity profile in the range of concentrations studied. Molecular docking allowed us to rationalize the binding mode of the synthesized compounds in both targets. In addition, we also show that compounds 11 and 25 exhibit significant β-amyloid lowering activity in a cell-based assay, 11 (50% inhibition, 10 μM) and 25 (35% inhibition, 10 μM). These results suggest that indolylpropyl benzamidopiperazines based compounds constitute promising leads for a multitargeted approach for Alzheimer’s disease. [Display omitted] •A series of indolylpropyl benzamidopiperazines have been synthesized as dual target compounds for Alzheimer’s Disease.•A variety of substitution patterns of indole and benzamide ring has been studied.•Potent AChE inhibitors and SERT ligands were achieved.•Two compounds exhibited promising Aβ inhibition profiles.•The most active compounds displayed low toxicity in biological assays.