Multigram synthesis and in vivo efficacy studies of a novel multitarget anti-Alzheimer's compound

Molecules. 2015 Mar 10;20(3):4492-515. doi: 10.3390/molecules20034492.

Abstract

We describe the multigram synthesis and in vivo efficacy studies of a donepezil‒huprine hybrid that has been found to display a promising in vitro multitarget profile of interest for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Its synthesis features as the key step a novel multigram preparative chromatographic resolution of intermediate racemic huprine Y by chiral HPLC. Administration of this compound to transgenic CL4176 and CL2006 Caenorhabditis elegans strains expressing human Aβ42, here used as simplified animal models of AD, led to a significant protection from the toxicity induced by Aβ42. However, this protective effect was not accompanied, in CL2006 worms, by a reduction of amyloid deposits. Oral administration for 3 months to transgenic APPSL mice, a well-established animal model of AD, improved short-term memory, but did not alter brain levels of Aβ peptides nor cortical and hippocampal amyloid plaque load. Despite the clear protective and cognitive effects of AVCRI104P4, the lack of Aβ lowering effect in vivo might be related to its lower in vitro potency toward Aβ aggregation and formation as compared with its higher anticholinesterase activities. Further lead optimization in this series should thus focus on improving the anti-amyloid/anticholinesterase activity ratio.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy*
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Aminoquinolines / administration & dosage*
  • Aminoquinolines / chemistry
  • Aminoquinolines / therapeutic use
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / genetics
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Donepezil
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings / administration & dosage*
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings / chemistry
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Indans / administration & dosage*
  • Indans / chemistry
  • Indans / therapeutic use
  • Mice
  • Molecular Structure
  • Piperidines / administration & dosage*
  • Piperidines / chemistry
  • Piperidines / therapeutic use

Substances

  • APP protein, human
  • AVCRI104P4
  • Aminoquinolines
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings
  • Indans
  • Piperidines
  • huprine Y
  • Donepezil