2. Academic Validation
  3. A novel carbamate-based hybrid derivative with anti-neuroinflammatory properties as a selective butyrylcholinesterase inhibitor for Alzheimer's disease therapy

A novel carbamate-based hybrid derivative with anti-neuroinflammatory properties as a selective butyrylcholinesterase inhibitor for Alzheimer's disease therapy

  • Bioorg Chem. 2025 Jul 1:161:108551. doi: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2025.108551.
Xueyan Liu 1,  Jiexin Xu 2,  Chuanyu Yu 2,  Chaoxian Dai 3,  Jiajing Chen 3,  Jian Zhong 3,  Yaoyao Yang 3,  Huiling Lin 3,  Xili Chen 3,  Qianling Zhang 3,  Luyao Dai 3,  Jing Zhang 4,  Daijun Zha 5,  Zu-Cheng Ye 6
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350112, Fujian Province, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350112, Fujian Province, China.
  • 2 School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350112, Fujian Province, China.
  • 3 Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350112, Fujian Province, China.
  • 4 Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology and Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University, Fujian Province, China. Electronic address: drzj@gmu.edu.cn.
  • 5 School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350112, Fujian Province, China. Electronic address: zhadj@fjmu.edu.cn.
  • 6 Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350112, Fujian Province, China. Electronic address: zcye@fjmu.edu.cn.
PMID: 40347768 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2025.108551
Abstract

Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) are widely utilized for the symptomatic management of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by enhancing acetylcholine levels to improve cognitive function. Concurrently, neuroinflammation has emerged as a critical factor in AD progression, necessitating therapies that address this pathology. In this study, we designed and synthesized a novel bifunctional cholinesterase inhibitor, (E)-4-(2-(3-(benzyloxy)-4-oxo-4H-pyran-2-yl) vinyl)-1,2-phenylene bis(ethyl(methyl)carbamate) (D40), which combines potent cholinesterase inhibition with robust anti-neuroinflammatory activity. D40 demonstrated potent inhibition of human butyrylcholinesterase (hBuChE), with an IC₅₀ value of 0.59 ± 0.03 μM, significantly outperforming Rivastigmine (IC₅₀ = 3.70 ± 0.96 μM). Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations confirmed a stable and selective binding of D40 to the BuChE active site, underpinning its inhibitory profile. Additionally, D40 exhibited strong anti-inflammatory effects, with an IC₅₀ value of 4.55 ± 0.78 μM for suppressing nitric oxide production and demonstrated excellent blood-brain barrier permeability. In vivo studies in aged 5 × FAD mice revealed that D40 significantly reduced neuroinflammation by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines and glial activation. Furthermore, D40 mitigated Aβ deposition, promoted neuronal survival, and improved cognitive deficits, while demonstrating a favorable safety profile in acute toxicity evaluations. These findings highlight D40 as a dual-function ChEI capable of providing symptomatic relief and modulating neuroinflammatory pathways associated with AD. With its enhanced cholinesterase inhibition and anti-inflammatory properties, D40 emerges as a promising candidate for the treatment of advanced stages of AD. Acetylcholine deficiency and neuroinflammation as drivers of Alzheimer's disease dually intervened by Compound D40.

Keywords

Alzheimer's disease; BuChE inhibition; Cognitive function; Microglial activation; Neuroinflammation.

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