Synthesis, Biological Evaluation and Molecular Modelling of 2'-Hydroxychalcones as Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors

Molecules. 2016 Jul 22;21(7):955. doi: 10.3390/molecules21070955.

Abstract

A series of 2'-hydroxy- and 2'-hydroxy-4',6'-dimethoxychalcones was synthesised and evaluated as inhibitors of human acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The majority of the compounds were found to show some activity, with the most active compounds having IC50 values of 40-85 µM. Higher activities were generally observed for compounds with methoxy substituents in the A ring and halogen substituents in the B ring. Kinetic studies on the most active compounds showed that they act as mixed-type inhibitors, in agreement with the results of molecular modelling studies, which suggested that they interact with residues in the peripheral anionic site and the gorge region of AChE.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; acetylcholinesterase; chalcones; molecular modelling.

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholinesterase / metabolism
  • Binding Sites
  • Chalcones / chemical synthesis
  • Chalcones / chemistry*
  • Chalcones / pharmacology*
  • Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Enzyme Activation / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Hydrolysis
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Molecular Structure
  • Protein Binding
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Chalcones
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors
  • Acetylcholinesterase
  • 2'-hydroxychalcone