Thiazolyl-pyrazoline derivatives: In vitro and in silico evaluation as potential acetylcholinesterase and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex, predominant, and progressive form of dementia. The treatment of AD alters depending on the cognitive and behavioral symptoms. The utility of cholinergic replacement by acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors in AD treatment has been well-documented so far. Recent studies have also demonstrated that human carbonic anhydrases (h CAs) serve as important targets for AD treatment. In an attempt to identify potent AChE and h CA inhibitors, new thiazolyl-pyrazolines (3a - k) were designed based on the molecular hybridization of thiazole and pyrazoline scaffolds. A facile and versatile synthetic route consisting of three steps, namely Claisen-Schmidt reaction, the formation of the 2-pyrazoline ring system, and Hantzsch thiazole synthesis was used to prepare compounds 3a - k. The synthesized derivatives were experimentally validated for efficacy by in vitro and direct enzymatic assays. Furthermore, the compounds were subjected to in silico screening using Schrödinger Suite software to identify the binding affinities of potential compounds based on Glide XP scoring, MM-GBSA calculating, and validation. The results of in vitro and in silico studies revealed that compounds 3a , 3f , and 3d were the most promising derivatives in this series due to their significant effects on AChE, h CA I, and h CA II, respectively. • A new series of thiazolyl-pyrazolines were designed and synthesized. • The synthesized compounds were investigated as inhibitors of AChE and h CA I, II. • All compounds showed KI values in low nanomolar range for AChE, hCA I and II. • Observed SARs were rationalized by in silico docking simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]