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Abstract The multitarget-directed strategy offers an effective and promising paradigm to treat the complex neurodegenerative disorder, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Herein, a series of N -benzylpiperidine analogs (17 – 31 and 32 – 46) were designed and synthesized as multi-functional inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and β-secretase-1 (BACE-1) with moderate to excellent inhibitory activities. Among the tested inhibitors, 25, 26, 40, and 41 presented the most significant and balanced inhibition against both the targets. Compounds 40 and 41 exhibited high brain permeability in the PAMPA-BBB assay, significant displacement of propidium iodide from the peripheral anionic site (PAS) of AChE, and were devoid of neurotoxicity towards SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell lines up to the maximum tested concentration of 80 μM. Meanwhile, both these compounds inhibited self- and AChE-induced Aβ aggregation in thioflavin T assay, which was also re-affirmed by morphological characterization of Aβ aggregates using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Moreover, 40 and 41 ameliorated the scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in elevated plus and Y-maze experiments. Ex vivo and biochemical analysis established the brain AChE inhibitory potential and antioxidant properties of these compounds. Further, improvement in Aβ 1-42 -induced cognitive impairment was also observed by compound 41 in the Morris water maze experiment with significant oral absorption characteristics ascertained by the pharmacokinetic studies. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Design and synthesis of a series of N -benzylpiperidine analogs (17 – 46). • Compounds 25, 26, 40, and 41 exhibited balanced inhibition of AChE and BACE-1. • Propidium iodide displacement and inhibition of Aβ aggregation by 40 and 41. • Biochemical analysis of rat brain homogenates suggested antioxidant potential. • Amelioration of scopolamine- and Aβ-induced cognitive impairment in AD rat models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diverse nature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has prompted researchers to develop multi-functional agents. Herein, we have designed and synthesized molecular hybrids of 2-pyridylpiperazine and 5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazoles. Biological activities of synthesized compounds suggested significant and balanced inhibitory potential against target enzymes. In particular, compound 49 containing 2,4-difluoro substitution at terminal phenyl ring considered as most potential lead with inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (hAChE, IC 50 = 0.054 μM), butyrylcholinesterase (hBChE, IC 50 = 0.787 μM) and beta-secretase-1 (hBACE-1, IC 50 = 0.098 μM). The enzyme kinetics study of 49 against hAChE suggested a mixed type of inhibition (Ki = 0.030 μM). Also, 48 and 49 showed significant displacement of propidium iodide from the peripheral anionic site (PAS) of hAChE, excellent blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability in parallel artificial membrane permeation assay (PAMPA), and neuroprotective ability against SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell lines. Further, 49 also exhibited anti-Aβ aggregation activity in self- and AChE-induced thioflavin T assay, which was ascertained by morphological characterization by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Moreover, in vivo behavioral studies signified learning and memory improvement by compound 49 in scopolamine- and Aβ-induced cognitive dysfunctions performed on Y-maze and Morris water maze. The ex vivo studies suggested decreased AChE activity and antioxidant potential of compound 49 , with good oral absorption characteristics ascertained by pharmacokinetic studies. Image 1 • Design and synthesis of 2-pyridylpiperazine and 5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazoles hybrids. • Compounds 48 and 49 exhibited balanced inhibition of AChE and BACE-1. • Propidium iodide displacement and inhibition of Aβ aggregation by 48 and 49. • Ex vivo study of rat hippocampal homogenates suggested antioxidant potential. • Amelioration of scopolamine- and Aβ-induced cognitive impairment in AD rat models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]