Synthesis, biological and computational evaluation of benzoxazole hybrid analogs as potential anti-Alzheimer's agents

Future Med Chem. 2024;16(19):2013-2023. doi: 10.1080/17568919.2024.2393569. Epub 2024 Sep 13.

Abstract

Aim: Current study aims exploration of bis-benzoxazole bearing bis-Schiff base scaffolds (1-16) as anti-Alzheimer's agents.Materials & methods: 2-aminophenol is used as starting materials which react with different reagents in different step to give us bis-benzoxazole bearing bis-Schiff base analogs. NMR and HREI-MS techniques were used for characterization. All derivatives demonstrated varied range of activities with IC50 values 1.10 ± 0.40-24.50 ± 0.90 μM against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and 1.90 ± 0.70-28.60 ± 0.60 μM against butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) in contrast to donepezil. In both cases, analog-3 was found most potent. Molecular docking explored modes of interactions between scaffolds and receptor sites of targeted enzymes.Conclusion: This study offering promising approach for optimization and development of potent inhibitors of cholinesterase enzymes.

Keywords: AChE; BuChE; SAR; Schiff base; benzoxazole; molecular docking.

Plain language summary

[Box: see text].

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholinesterase* / metabolism
  • Alzheimer Disease* / drug therapy
  • Benzoxazoles* / chemical synthesis
  • Benzoxazoles* / chemistry
  • Benzoxazoles* / pharmacology
  • Butyrylcholinesterase* / metabolism
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors* / chemical synthesis
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors* / chemistry
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors* / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Molecular Docking Simulation*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Schiff Bases / chemical synthesis
  • Schiff Bases / chemistry
  • Schiff Bases / pharmacology
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Benzoxazoles
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors
  • Butyrylcholinesterase
  • Acetylcholinesterase
  • Schiff Bases