Synthesis, pharmacological assessment, molecular modeling and in silico studies of fused tricyclic coumarin derivatives as a new family of multifunctional anti-Alzheimer agents

•A series of 7,8-fused tricyclic coumarin derivatives (6a–s) were synthesized.•Compounds were evaluated for AChE, BuChE, ABTS inhibitory and neuroprotective activities.•Most compounds had potent and selective anti AChE activity superior to galantamine.•N-(3-bromobenzyl) derivative 6n had excellent anti-AChE and antioxidant profile.•Kinetic and docking studies showed dual binding site ability of 6n to inhibit AChE.

A series of fused tricyclic coumarin derivatives bearing iminopyran ring connected to various amido moieties were developed as potential multifunctional anti-Alzheimer agents for their cholinesterase inhibitory and radical scavenging activities. In vitro studies revealed that most of these compounds exhibited high inhibitory activity on acetylcholinesterase (AChE), with IC50 values ranging from 0.003 to 0.357 μM which is 2–220 folds more potent than the positive control, galantamine. Their inhibition selectivity against AChE over butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) has increased about 194 fold compared with galantamine. The developed compounds also showed potent ABTS radical scavenging activity (IC50 7.98–15.99 μM). Specifically, the most potent AChE inhibitor 6n (IC50 0.003 ± 0.0007 μM) has an excellent antioxidant profile as determined by the ABTS method (IC50 7.98 ± 0.77 μM). Moreover, cell viability studies in SK N SH cells showed that the compounds 6m–q have significant neuroprotective effects against H2O2-induced cell death, and are not neurotoxic at all concentrations except 6n and 6q. The kinetic analysis of compound 6n proved that it is a mixed-type inhibitor for EeAChE (Ki1 0.0103 μM and Ki2 0.0193 μM). Accordingly, the molecular modeling study demonstrated that 6m–q with substituted benzyl amido moiety possessed an optimal docking pose with interactions at catalytic active site (CAS) and peripheral anionic site (PAS) of AChE simultaneously and thereby they might prevent aggregation of Aβ induced by AChE. Furthermore, in silico ADMET prediction studies indicated that these compounds satisfied all the characteristics of CNS acting drugs. Most active inhibitor 6n is permeable to BBB as determined in the in vivo brain AChE activity. To sum up, the multipotent therapuetic profile of these novel tricyclic coumarins makes them promising leads for developing anti-Alzheimer agents.

Graphical abstractAngularly fused tricyclic coumarin derivatives were evaluated as novel multifunctional anti AD agents with selective AChE and ABTS inhibitory activities. N-(3-bromobenzyl) amide analog 6n was 220 fold superior to galantamine.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide