Exploration of multi-target potential of chromen-4-one based compounds in Alzheimer’s disease: Design, synthesis and biological evaluations

Abstract

A novel series of flavonoid based compounds were designed, synthesized and biologically evaluated for Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity integrated with advanced glycation end products (AGEs) inhibitory and antioxidant potential. Most of the derivatives inhibited AChE in nanomolar IC50 range along with good AGEs inhibitory and radical scavenging activity. Among them, 7m, strongly inhibited AChE (IC50 = 5.87 nM) and found to be potent as compared to the reference drug donepezil (IC50 = 12.7 nM). Its potent inhibitory activity has been justified by docking analysis that revealed its dual binding characteristic with both CAS (catalytic active site) and PAS (peripheral anionic site) of AChE, simultaneously. Additionally, this compound also displayed ability to prevent advanced glycation end products formation (IC50 = 23.0 µM) with additional radical scavenging property (IC50 = 37.12 nM). It (7m) also ameliorated scopolamine induced memory deficit in mice employing Morris water maze test. Thus, flavonoids might be the promising lead compounds as potential polyfunctional anti-Alzheimer’s agents.