Aims
Ten hydroxylated monocarbonyl curcumin derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their NEP upregulating potential using sensitive fluorescence-based Aβ digestion and inhibition assays.
Background
Alzheimer's disease (AD) involves impairment of Aβ clearance. Neprilysin (NEP) is the most efficient Aβ peptidase. Enhancement of the activity or expression of NEP may provide a prominent therapeutic strategy against AD. Aims: Ten hydroxylated monocarbonyl curcumin derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their NEP upregulating potential using sensitive fluorescence-based Aβ digestion and inhibition assays.
Conclusion
The increased Aβ cleavage activity and the ease of synthesis of 4 renders it an extremely attractive lead compound.
Results
Compound 4 was the most active one, resulting in a 50% increase in Aβ cleavage activity. Cyclohexanone-bearing derivatives exhibited higher activity enhancement compared to their acetone counterparts. Inhibition experiments with the NEP-specific inhibitor thiorphan resulted in dramatic cleavage reduction.