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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline, memory loss, and impaired daily functioning. While there is currently no cure for AD, several pharmacotherapeutic targets and management strategies have been explored. Additionally, traditional medicinal plants have gained attention for their potential role in AD management. Pharmacotherapeutic targets in AD include amyloid-beta (Aβ) aggregation, tau protein hyperphosphorylation, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and cholinergic dysfunction. Traditional medicinal plants, such as Ginkgo biloba, Huperzia serrata, Curcuma longa (turmeric), and Panax ginseng, have demonstrated the ability to modulate these targets through their bioactive compounds. Ginkgo biloba, for instance, contains flavonoids and terpenoids that exhibit neuroprotective effects by reducing Aβ deposition and enhancing cerebral blood flow. Huperzia serrata, a natural source of huperzine A, has acetylcholinesterase-inhibiting properties, thus improving cholinergic function. Curcuma longa, enriched with curcumin, exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, potentially mitigating neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Panax ginseng's ginsenosides have shown neuroprotective and anti-amyloidogenic properties. The investigation of traditional medicinal plants as a complementary approach to AD management offers several advantages, including a lower risk of adverse effects and potential multi-target interactions. Furthermore, the cultural knowledge and utilization of these plants provide a rich source of information for the development of new therapies. However, further research is necessary to elucidate the precise mechanisms of action, standardize preparations, and assess the safety and efficacy of these natural remedies. Integrating traditional medicinal-plant-based therapies with modern pharmacotherapies may hold the key to a more comprehensive and effective approach to AD treatment. This review aims to explore the pharmacotherapeutic targets in AD and assess the potential of traditional medicinal plants in its management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some promising acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors with an antioxidant potential were designed, synthesised, and evaluated for their role in treating cognitive dysfunctions. The in silico Gaussian-based quantitative structureactivity relationship (QSAR), virtual screening (VS), QikProp drug-likeliness prediction and docking pose filtration protocols were adapted to design and screen the novel series of diaryl ether derivatives. Further, the selected compounds were investigated for their molecular binding stability using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation analysis and molecular mechanics generalised born surface area (MM-GBSA). The identified hits were synthesised and evaluated for their in vitro AChE inhibition and antioxidant potential. Among all the synthesized compounds, the compound 39 was observed as potent AChE inhibitor (AChE IC50 = 1.30 ± 0.09 μm; Ki = 0.054 ± 0.009 μM), and also the antioxidant potential of compound 39 (52.9%) was observed significantly better than standard donepezil (<10%) and parallel to ascorbic acid (56.6%). Further, compound 39 ameliorated the scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in the Y-maze and passive avoidance testsin mice models. Ex vivo and biochemical analysis established the brain AChE inhibitory potential and antioxidant properties of compound 39. The results signified compound 39 to be a promising lead for the treatment of cognitive dysfunctions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• 4-AP tethered 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives were designed and synthesized. • Compound 9 elicited significant non-competitive type of hAChE inhibition. • Compound 9 showed significant brain permeability in PAMPA-BBB assay. • Compound 9 ameliorated scopolamine- induced cognitive impairment in mice models. • Biochemical analysis using brain homogenates suggested antioxidant activity by 9. The novel hybrids bearing 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) tethered with substituted 1,3,4-oxadiazole nucleus were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their potential AChE inhibitory property along with significant antioxidant potential. The inhibitory potential (IC 50) of synthesized analogs was evaluated against human cholinesterases (hAChE and hBChE) using Ellman's method. Among all the compounds, 9 with 4-hydroxyl substituent showed maximum hAChE inhibition with the non-competitive type of enzyme inhibition (IC 50 = 1.098 µM; Ki = 0.960 µM). Further, parallel artificial membrane permeation assay (PAMPA-BBB) showed significant BBB permeability in most of the synthesized compounds. Meanwhile, compound 9 also inhibited AChE-induced Aβ aggregation (38.2–65.9%) by thioflavin T assay. The in vivo behavioral studies showed dose-dependent improvement in learning and memory by compound 9. The ex vivo studies also affirmed the significant AChE inhibition and antioxidant potential of compound 9 in brain homogenates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Series of some 3,5-dimethoxy- N -methylenebenzenamine and 4-(methyleneamino)benzoic acid derivatives comprising of N -methylenebenzenamine nucleus were designed, synthesized, characterized, and assessed for their acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory, and antioxidant activity thereby improving learning and memory in rats. The IC 50 values of all the compound along with standard were determined on AChE and BChE enzyme. The free radical scavenging activity was also assessed by in vitro DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl) and hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging assay. The selective inhibitions of all compounds were observed against AChE in comparison with standard donepezil. The enzyme kinetic study of the most active compound 4 indicated uncompetitive AChE inhibition. The docking studies of compound 4 exhibited the worthy interaction on active-site gorge residues Phe330 and Trp279 responsible for its high affinity towards AChE, whereas lacking of the BChE inhibition was observed due to a wider gorge binding site and absence of important aromatic amino acids interactions. The ex vivo study confirmed AChE inhibition abilities of compound 4 at brain site. Further, a considerable decrease in escape latency period of the compound was observed in comparison with standard donepezil through in vivo Spatial Reference Memory (SRM) and Spatial Working Memory (SWM) models which showed the cognition-enhancing potential of compound 4 . The in vivo reduced glutathione (GSH) estimation on rat brain tissue homogenate was also performed to evaluate free radical scavenging activity substantiated the antioxidant activity in learning and memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• In-silico based virtual screening of a library (Drug Central Database) containing 4199 FDA approved drugs; MM/GBSA and MD simulation analysis were performed. • Novel structurally modified propamidine derivatives were synthesized, characterized and tested for their anti-AD activity. • Compound 27 was a well-balanced and promising multi-targeting agent. • Compound 27 exhibited good self and AChE-induced Aβ aggregation inhibition in thioflavin T assay. • Compound 27 displayed significant improvement in cognitive dysfunctions against scopolamine-induced amnesia mouse models. The use of multifunctional agents could act as a crucial strategy in the management of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease (AD). In search of multitargeted directed ligands for the treatment of AD, a drug repositioning study has been performed using In silico tools. Virtual screening of a library (Drug Central Database) containing 4199 FDA-approved drugs was utilized for the purpose, and denopamine, guanethidine, and propamidine were identified as hits to target both acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and β-secretase (BACE-1). Further, MM/GBSA and MD simulation analysis was also performed which suggested that propamidine, an antibacterial and antifungal drug , may become a crucial pharmacophore to design multi-target directed ligands for AD therapy. Finally, a series of structurally modified derivatives of propamidine by replacement of terminal amidines with substituted benzamide and acetamide moiety on both ends were synthesized, characterized, and tested for their anti-AD action. Compound 27 of the structurally modified series of propamidine has shown significant in vitro hAChE and hBACE-1 inhibition at submicromolar concentration range (hAChE: IC 50 = 0.832 ± 0.05 µM and hBACE-1: IC 50 = 0.428 ± 0.036 µM). Compounds 27 has also shown significant propidium iodide displacement from the PAS binding region and exhibited good self and AChE-induced Amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation inhibition in thioflavin T assay. The in-vivo behavioral studies of compound 27 displayed significant improvement in cognitive dysfunctions against scopolamine-induced amnesia mouse models. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]