Ionic liquid mediated synthesis and molecular docking study of novel aromatic embedded Schiff bases as potent cholinesterase inhibitors

• Novel biologically active Schiff bases were synthesized in ionic liquid media.
• Highly pure products obtained in very short reaction times and in high yields.
• Compounds 5f, 5h and 7j significantly displayed higher AChE enzyme inhibitory activities than standard drug, galanthamine.

Novel aromatic embedded Schiff bases have been synthesized in ionic liquid [bmim]Br and evaluated in vitro for their acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes inhibitory activities. Among the newly synthesized compounds, 5f, 5h and 7j displayed higher AChE enzyme inhibitory activities than standard drug, galanthamine, with IC50 values of 1.88, 2.05 and 2.03 μM, respectively. Interestingly, all the compounds except for compound 5c displayed higher BChE inhibitories than standard with IC50 values ranging from 3.49 to 19.86 μM. Molecular docking analysis for 5f and 7j possessing the most potent AChE and BChE inhibitory activities, disclosed their binding interaction templates to the active site of AChE and BChE enzymes, respectively.

Novel aromatic embedded Schiff bases have been synthesized in ionic liquid [bmim]Br and evaluated in vitro for their acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes inhibitory activities.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide