Abstract
Novel multifunctional 3,6-Diphenyl-1,4-bis(phenylsulfonyl)piperazine-2,5-dione derivatives were designed and synthesized for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The designed scaffold has blood brain barrier penetrating ability, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) inhibition potential. Compounds 52 and 46 showed very significant inhibition against AChE, IC50 = 32.45 ± 0.044, 28.65 ± 0.029, BuChE, IC50 = 157.95 ± 0.264, 160.58 ± 0.082 and MMP-2, IC50 = 36.83 ± 0.015, 19.57 ± 0.005 (nM). In the enzyme kinetics study, lead molecule 46 showed non-competitive inhibition of AChE with Ki = 7 nM and competitive inhibition of MMP-2 with Ki = 20 nM. Compounds 52 and 46 inhibited AChE-induced Aβ aggregation at 20 μM. The compounds also exhibited in-vitro antioxidant potential in DPPH assay. Further, compound 46 was found to be a promising neuroprotective agent in MC65 cells. Lead molecule 46 significantly enhanced working memory in scopolamine induced amnesia animal model at dose of 5 mg/kg dose. The mitochondrial membrane potential was restored in animals when treated with compounds 52 and 46.