BioMed Research International
Volume 2015 (2015), Article ID 965987, 9 pages
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/965987

Research Article

An Expedient Synthesis, Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Activity, and Molecular Modeling Study of Highly Functionalized Hexahydro-1,6-naphthyridines

Abdulrahman I. Almansour,¹ Raju Suresh Kumar,¹ Natarajan Arumugam,¹ Alireza Basiri,² Yalda Kia,³ and Mohamed Ashraf Ali⁴

¹Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
²School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden, Penang, Malaysia
³School of Chemical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden, Penang, Malaysia
⁴Pharmacogenetic and Novel Therapeutic Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia

Received 17 November 2014; Revised 9 January 2015; Accepted 9 January 2015

Academic Editor: Miroslav Pohanka

Copyright © 2015 Abdulrahman I. Almansour et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

A series of hexahydro-1,6-naphthyridines were synthesized in good yields by the reaction of 3,5-bis[(E)-arylmethylidene]tetrahydro-4(1H)-pyridinones with cyanoacetamide in the presence of sodium ethoxide under simple mixing at ambient temperature for 6–10 minutes and were assayed for their acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity using colorimetric Ellman’s method. Compound 4e with methoxy substituent at ortho-position of the phenyl rings displayed the maximum inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ value of 2.12 μM. Molecular modeling simulation of 4e was performed using three-dimensional structure of Torpedo californica AChE (TcAChE) enzyme to disclose binding interaction and orientation of this molecule into the active site gorge of the receptor.

1. Introduction

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with loss of cholinergic neurons in basal forebrain, which results in loss or failure of memory which slowly worsens and eventually incapacitates the patients [1, 2]. According to the World Alzheimer report, AD is one among the most significant social, health, and economic crises of the 21st century [3]. Although the exact factors initiating AD are unclear, genetic and environmental factors have been implicated [4]. In general, pharmacological therapies have twin objectives: (i) to prevent the loss of the neurons and (ii) to restore the cholinergic functions of AD patients. Cholinesterase inhibitors have been used clinically for symptomatic treatment of AD [5]. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme is involved in the breakdown of acetylcholine in the brain and inhibition of this enzyme may increase the efficacy of treatment and broaden the indications [6]. Effects of cholinesterase inhibitors are mainly due to enhancement of cholinergic transmission at cholinergic autonomic synapses and at the neuromuscular junction [7].

AChE inhibitors are one of the most actively investigated classes of compounds in the search for an effective treatment of AD. Although there are many ongoing research activities in the search of drugs for treating AD, only few drugs like galantamine, donepezil, and rivastigmine are now available [8], and these drugs do not show potential cure rates; additional treatments are still being developed. The treatment of AD still remains an area of significant unmet need, with drugs that only target the symptoms of the disease. Therefore, there is considerable need for disease-modifying therapies. To meet the need of disease-modifying drugs for AD, in recent years, new approaches have emerged in medicinal chemistry. In particular the concept has recently been proposed that due to the multifactorial and complex etiology of AD, the modulation of a single factor might not be sufficient to produce the desired efficacy. Researchers are now paying attention to the design of structures that could be able to simultaneously interact with different targets involved in the pathogenic process [9, 10].

Naphthyridine structural motif has been extensively synthesized and incorporated into biologically active molecules [11]. In particular, 1,6-naphthyridines exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities such as being inhibitor of HIV-1 integrase [12, 13], HCMV [14, 15], FGF receptor-1 tyrosine kinase [16], and the enzyme acetylcholinesterase [17]. Many routes for the syntheses of 1,6-naphthyridines derivatives have previously been reported [18–21]. In continuation of our previous work towards the synthesis of novel hybrid heterocycles employing new synthetic methodologies and/or their potential as inhibitors of AChE [22–26], herein we report the synthesis and AChE inhibitory activities of nitrogen heterocyclic hybrids comprising naphthyridine structural motif.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Chemistry

General Methods. Melting points were measured in KRUSS melting point meter using open capillary tubes and are uncorrected. ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker 300 MHz instrument in DMSO using TMS as internal standard. Standard Bruker software was used throughout. Chemical shifts are given in parts per million (δ-scale) and the coupling constants are given in Hertz. IR spectra were recorded in a Perkin Elmer system 2000 FT IR instrument (KBr). Elemental analyses were performed on a Perkin Elmer 2400 Series II Elemental CHNS analyser. Mass spectra were recorded in Agilent technologies 7820A GC-MS system.

2.1.1. General Procedure for the Synthesis of Naphthyridines (4a–k)

A mixture of 3,5-bis[(E)-arylmethylidene]tetrahydro-4(1H)-pyridinones (1 mmol) and 2-cyanoacetamide (1 mmol) in ethanol (200 μL) in the presence of catalytic amount of sodium ethoxide (5 mg) were ground well in a semimicro boiling tube at ambient temperature for about 6–10 min. After completion of the reaction as evident from TLC, water (50 mL) was added to the reaction mixture and the product was filtered, washed with water, and dried in vacuo.

(E)-8-Benzylidene-2-oxo-4-phenyl-1,2,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-1,6-naphthyridine-3-carbonitrile ( 4a ). Pale yellow solid; IR (KBr) 3372, 2945, 2213, 1642, 1625 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): 3.15 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 1H, 5-CH₂), 3.35 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 1H, 5-CH₂), 3.60 (d, J = 15.6 Hz, 1H, 7-CH₂), 3.69 (d, J = 15.6 Hz, 1H, 7-CH₂), 7.07–7.38 (m, 10H, Ar-H), 7.81 (s, 1H, Arylmethylidene-H), 8.15 (s, 1H, NH). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, DMSO): 45.48, 45.76, 79.31, 101.70, 115.22, 116.94, 126.21, 127.81, 128.84, 129.50, 130.78, 131.10, 134.71, 135.54, 137.90, 146.85, 159.18, 162.83. EIMS: m/z 341 [M+1]. Anal. calcd for C₂₂H₁₇N₃O: C, 77.86; H, 5.05; N, 12.38; found: C, 77.69; H, 5.22; N, 12.25%.

(E)-8-(2-Methylbenzylidene)-2-oxo-4-(o-tolyl)-1,2,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-1,6-naphthyridine-3-carbonitrile ( 4b ). Yellow solid; IR (KBr) 3380, 2948, 2210, 1640, 1627 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): 2.13 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.30 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.14 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 1H, 5-CH₂), 3.33 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 1H, 5-CH₂), 3.62 (d, J = 15.6 Hz, 1H, 7-CH₂), 3.68 (d, J = 15.6 Hz, 1H, 7-CH₂), 7.04–7.35 (m, 8H, Ar-H), 7.80 (s, 1H, Arylmethylidene-H), 8.14 (s, 1H, NH). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, DMSO): 19.75, 20.56, 45.43, 45.82, 79.76, 101.32, 115.23, 116.91, 126.21, 127.03, 127.79, 128.89, 129.33, 129.53, 129.92, 130.78, 131.19, 134.76, 135.42, 135.55, 137.91, 146.96, 159.08, 162.92. EIMS: m/z 369 [M+1]. Anal. calcd for C₂₄H₂₁N₃O: C, 78.45; H, 5.76; N, 11.44; found: C, 78.32; H, 5.98; N, 11.29%.

(E)-8-(2-Chlorobenzylidene)-4-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-oxo-1,2,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-1,6-naphthyridine-3-carbonitrile ( 4c ). Pale yellow solid; IR (KBr) 3384, 2950, 2214, 1642, 1625 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): 3.16 (d, J = 15.6 Hz, 1H, 5-CH₂), 3.34 (d, J = 15.6 Hz, 1H, 5-CH₂), 3.61 (d, J = 15.6 Hz, 1H, 7-CH₂), 3.68 (d, J = 15.6 Hz, 1H, 7-CH₂), 7.10–7.36 (m, 8H, Ar-H), 7.81 (s, 1H, Arylmethylidene-H), 8.12 (s, 1H, NH). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, DMSO): 45.38, 45.95, 79.70, 101.64, 115.21, 116.90, 126.28, 127.01, 127.85, 128.90, 129.31, 129.54, 129.93, 130.69, 131.26, 134.73, 135.40, 135.52, 137.90, 146.91, 159.13, 162.90. EIMS: m/z 408 [M+1]. Anal. calcd for C₂₂H₁₅Cl₂N₃O: C, 64.72; H, 3.70; N, 10.29; found: C, 64.80; H, 3.87; N, 10.48%.

(E)-8-(2-Bromobenzylidene)-4-(2-bromophenyl)-2-oxo-1,2,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-1,6-naphthyridine-3-carbonitrile ( 4d ). Pale yellow solid; IR (KBr) 3381, 2950, 2210, 1644, 1626 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): 3.18 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 1H, 5-CH₂), 3.34 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 1H, 5-CH₂), 3.62 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 1H, 7-CH₂), 3.69 (d, J = 15.6 Hz, 1H, 7-CH₂), 7.16–7.39 (m, 8H, Ar-H), 7.82 (s, 1H, Arylmethylidene-H), 8.09 (s, 1H, NH). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, DMSO): 44.93, 45.80, 79.78, 101.61, 115.20, 116.96, 126.25, 127.05, 127.81, 128.98, 129.35, 129.62, 129.92, 130.73, 131.24, 134.71, 135.43, 135.51, 137.93, 146.90, 159.17, 162.92. EIMS: m/z 498 [M+1]. Anal. calcd for C₂₂H₁₅Br₂N₃O: C, 53.15; H, 3.04; N, 8.45; found: C, 53.38; H, 3.16; N, 8.37%.

(E)-8-(2-Methoxybenzylidene)-4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-1,2,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-1,6-naphthyridine-3-carbonitrile ( 4e ). Yellow solid; IR (KBr) 3385, 2944, 2210, 1641, 1627 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): 3.14 (d, J = 15.6 Hz, 1H, 5-CH₂), 3.31 (d, J = 15.6 Hz, 1H, 5-CH₂), 3.60 (d, J = 15.6 Hz, 1H, 7-CH₂), 3.68 (d, J = 15.6 Hz, 1H, 7-CH₂), 3.74 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.82 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 7.11–7.38 (m, 8H, Ar-H), 7.83 (s, 1H, Arylmethylidene-H), 8.10 (s, 1H, NH). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, DMSO): 45.39, 45.93, 55.51, 55.70, 79.70, 101.67, 114.20, 114.81, 115.20, 116.94, 126.31, 127.81, 128.93, 129.56, 130.66, 131.29, 134.70, 135.42, 137.90, 146.95, 159.07, 159.14, 160.04, 162.95. EIMS: m/z 401 [M+1]. Anal. calcd for C₂₄H₂₁N₃O₃: C, 72.16; H, 5.30; N, 10.52; found: C, 72.30; H, 5.53; N, 10.39%.

(E)-8-(2,4-Dichlorobenzylidene)-4-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-oxo-1,2,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-1,6-naphthyridine-3-carbonitrile ( 4f ). Pale yellow solid; IR (KBr) 3380, 2951, 2219, 1646, 1628 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): 3.18 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 1H, 5-CH₂), 3.37 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 1H, 5-CH₂), 3.60 (d, J = 15.6 Hz, 1H, 7-CH₂), 3.68 (d, J = 15.6 Hz, 1H, 7-CH₂), 7.14–7.42 (m, 6H, Ar-H), 7.82 (s, 1H, Arylmethylidene-H), 8.09 (s, 1H, NH). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, DMSO): 45.35, 45.97, 79.65, 101.62, 115.26, 116.81, 126.30, 127.12, 127.87, 128.94, 129.43, 129.60, 129.94, 130.74, 131.27, 134.72, 135.47, 135.53, 137.94, 146.97, 159.16, 162.95. EIMS: m/z 478 [M+1]. Anal. calcd for C₂₂H₁₃Cl₄N₃O: C, 55.38; H, 2.75; N, 8.81; found: C, 55.29; H, 2.92; N, 8.70%.

(E)-8-(3-Nitrobenzylidene)-4-(3-nitrophenyl)-2-oxo-1,2,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-1,6-naphthyridine-3-carbonitrile ( 4g ). Yellow solid; IR (KBr) 3389, 2942, 2210, 1645, 1626 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): 3.21 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 1H, 5-CH₂), 3.39 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 1H, 5-CH₂), 3.61 (d, J = 15.6 Hz, 1H, 7-CH₂), 3.70 (d, J = 15.6 Hz, 1H, 7-CH₂), 7.12–7.38 (m, 8H, Ar-H), 7.80 (s, 1H, Arylmethylidene-H), 8.11 (s, 1H, NH). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, DMSO): 45.32, 45.95, 79.66, 101.60, 115.24, 116.79, 126.31, 127.15, 127.86, 128.93, 129.41, 129.64, 129.96, 130.75, 131.30, 134.71, 135.49, 135.61, 137.92, 146.95, 159.14, 162.93. EIMS: m/z 431 [M+1]. Anal. calcd for C₂₂H₁₅N₅O₅: C, 61.54; H, 3.52; N, 16.31; found: C, 61.27; H, 3.75; N, 16.18%.

(E)-8-(4-Methylbenzylidene)-2-oxo-4-(p-tolyl)-1,2,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-1,6-naphthyridine-3-carbonitrile ( 4h ). Pale yellow solid; IR (KBr) 3387, 2940, 2212, 1647, 1625 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): 2.25 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.29 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.20 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 1H, 5-CH₂), 3.41 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 1H, 5-CH₂), 3.63 (d, J = 15.6 Hz, 1H, 7-CH₂), 3.72 (d, J = 15.6 Hz, 1H, 7-CH₂), 7.12–7.40 (m, 8H, Ar-H), 7.83 (s, 1H, Arylmethylidene-H), 8.12 (s, 1H, NH). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, DMSO): 21.4, 21.8, 45.35, 45.97, 79.68, 101.64, 115.25, 116.80, 126.32, 127.18, 127.82, 128.91, 129.45, 129.96, 130.69, 131.35, 134.73, 135.47, 135.64, 137.90, 139.21, 146.94, 159.17, 162.90. EIMS: m/z 369 [M+1]. Anal. calcd for C₂₄H₂₁N₃O: C, 78.45; H, 5.76; N, 11.44; found: C, 78.66; H, 5.87; N, 11.35%.

(E)-8-(4-Chlorobenzylidene)-4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxo-1,2,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-1,6-naphthyridine-3-carbonitrile ( 4i ). Yellow solid; IR (KBr) 3385, 2942, 2210, 1645, 1627 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): 3.17 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 1H, 5-CH₂), 3.40 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 1H, 5-CH₂), 3.62 (d, J = 15.6 Hz, 1H, 7-CH₂), 3.71 (d, J = 15.6 Hz, 1H, 7-CH₂), 7.16–7.48 (m, 8H, Ar-H), 7.87 (s, 1H, Arylmethylidene-H), 8.15 (s, 1H, NH). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, DMSO): 45.39, 45.94, 79.70, 101.65, 115.26, 116.81, 126.34, 127.21, 127.85, 128.94, 129.48, 129.91, 130.76, 131.39, 134.71, 135.51, 135.60, 137.90, 146.92, 159.25, 162.97. EIMS: m/z 409 [M+1]. Anal. calcd for C₂₂H₁₅Cl₂N₃O: C, 64.72; H, 3.70; N, 10.29; found: C, 64.95; H, 3.84; N, 10.21%.

(E)-8-(4-Fluorobenzylidene)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-oxo-1,2,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-1,6-naphthyridine-3-carbonitrile ( 4j ). Pale yellow solid; IR (KBr) 3387, 2940, 2213, 1645, 1624 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): 3.15 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 1H, 5-CH₂), 3.37 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 1H, 5-CH₂), 3.63 (d, J = 15.6 Hz, 1H, 7-CH₂), 3.70 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 1H, 7-CH₂), 7.13–7.45 (m, 8H, Ar-H), 7.84 (s, 1H, Arylmethylidene-H), 8.11 (s, 1H, NH). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, DMSO): 45.37, 45.93, 79.72, 101.64, 114.36, 114.58, 115.23, 116.85, 126.37, 127.84, 128.92, 129.45, 130.72, 131.35, 134.78, 135.43, 137.94, 146.96, 159.25, 160.23, 161.18, 162.95. EIMS: m/z 377 [M+1]. Anal. calcd for C₂₂H₁₅F₂N₃O: C, 70.39; H, 4.03; N, 11.19; found: C, 70.65; H, 4.27; N, 11.10%.

(E)-4-(Naphthalen-1-yl)-8-(naphthalen-1-ylmethylene)-2-oxo-1,2,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-1,6-naphthyridine-3-carbonitrile ( 4k ). Pale yellow solid; IR (KBr) 3384, 2946, 2214, 1645, 1629 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): 3.17 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 1H, 5-CH₂), 3.41 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 1H, 5-CH₂), 3.61 (d, J = 15.6 Hz, 1H, 7-CH₂), 3.70 (d, J = 15.6 Hz, 1H, 7-CH₂), 7.02–7.65 (m, 14H, Ar-H), 7.91 (s, 1H, Arylmethylidene-H), 8.17 (s, 1H, NH). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, DMSO): 45.31, 45.84, 79.68, 101.65, 115.28, 116.80, 123.46, 124.03, 125.12, 125.57, 126.30, 126.42, 126.80, 127.20, 127.85, 128.22, 129.12, 129.48, 129.94, 130.79, 131.43, 132.10, 132.67, 134.73, 135.54, 135.68, 137.92, 146.90, 159.28, 162.94. EIMS: m/z 441 [M+1]. Anal. calcd for C₃₀H₂₁N₃O: C, 81.98; H, 4.82; N, 9.56; found: C, 81.80; H, 4.95; N, 9.48%.

2.2. In Vitro Cholinesterase Enzymes Inhibitory Assay

Cholinesterase inhibitory activity of the synthesized compounds was evaluated using the Ellman’s microplate assay [27]. For acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory assay, 140 μL of 0.1 M sodium phosphate buffer (pH 8) was first added to a 96-well microplate followed by 20 μL of test samples and 20 μL of 0.09 units/mL acetylcholinesterase enzyme from Electrophoruselectricus (Sigma). After 15 minutes of incubation at 25°C, 10 μL of 10 mM 5,5′-dithiobis-2-nitrobenzoic acid (DTNB) was added into each well followed by 10 μL of acetylthiocholine iodide (14 mM). At 30 minutes after the initiation of enzymatic reaction, absorbance of the colored end-product was measured using BioTek Power Wave X 340 Microplate Spectrophotometer at 412 nm.

Galantamine was used as positive control. Test samples and galantamine were prepared in DMSO at an initial concentration of 1 mg/mL (1000 ppm). The concentration of DMSO in final reaction mixture was 1%. At this concentration, DMSO has no inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase enzyme.

The initial screening was carried out at 10 μg/mL of test samples in 1% DMSO and each test was conducted in triplicate. Absorbencies of the test samples were corrected by subtracting the absorbance of their respective blank. Percentage enzyme inhibition is calculated using the following formula:

Subsequently, the determination of IC₅₀ was carried out using a set of five concentrations.

2.3. Molecular Modeling

Using Glide (version 5.7, Schrödinger, LLC, New York, NY, 2011), most active compound was docked onto the active site of TcAChE derived from three-dimensional structure of the enzyme complex with anti-Alzheimer’s drug, galantamine (PDB ID: 4EVE).

Water molecules and hetero groups were deleted from enzyme beyond the radius of 5 Å of reference ligand (galantamine), resulting protein structure refined and minimized by Protein Preparation Wizard using OPLS-2005 force field. Receptor Grid Generation program was used to prepare TcAChE grid and the ligand was optimized by LigPrep program by using OPLS-2005 force field to generate lowest energy state. Docking stimulations were carried out on bioactive compound, handed in 5 poses per ligand, in which the best pose with highest score was displayed for each ligand.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Chemistry

In the present investigation, the reaction of a series of bisarylmethylidene piperidones with 2-cyanoacetamide in the presence of sodium ethoxide with few drops of ethanol under simple mixing at ambient temperature for 6–10 min afforded functionalized 1,6-naphthyridines in good yields (65–78%; Scheme 1). The prerequisite bisarylmethylidene piperidones were synthesized following the literature reported method [28]. In a typical reaction, an equimolar mixture of 3,5-bis[(E)-2-methylphenylmethylidene]tetrahydro-4(1H)-pyridinones (2b) and 2-cyanoacetamide (3) in catalytic amount of sodium ethoxide were ground well in a semimicro boiling tube with few drops of ethanol at ambient temperature for about 7 min and after completion of the reaction water was added to the mixture and the product was filtered and dried in vacuo. In this case, the 2-pyridone was obtained as a sole reaction product and does not require column chromatography for purification. Easy availability of the reagents, short reaction time, and simple reaction condition rendered this method more attractive from the viewpoint of green chemistry.

Scheme 1: Synthesis of naphthyridines (4a–k).

The structure of 1,6-naphthyridines was elucidated using IR, NMR, and CHN analysis. In the ¹H NMR spectrum of 4b, the two doublets at 3.14 and 3.33 ppm with J = 15.9 Hz are due to 5-CH₂ protons while the other doublets at 3.62 and 3.68 ppm with J = 15.6 Hz are due to 7-CH₂ protons of the piperidine ring. The singlets at 8.14 and 7.80 ppm can be attributed to the NH of 2-pyridone ring and arylmethylidene proton, respectively. The two –CH₃ protons of aromatic ring appear as singlets at 2.13 and 2.30 ppm while the multiplets around 7.04–7.35 ppm are due to aromatic protons. In the ¹³C NMR spectrum, the chemical shifts at 19.75 and 20.56 ppm were due to the two –CH₃ carbons whilst the two methylene carbons of the piperidine ring resonated at 45.43 and 45.82 ppm. The aromatic carbons resonated at 101.32–162.92 ppm. The molecular ion peak at 369 [M+1] confirms the presence of compound 4b. The elemental analysis result of 4b was within ±0.4% of the theoretical values. The structure of other 2-pyridones was also assigned by similar considerations. Presumably, the 1,6-naphthyridine (4) is formed via a cascade heterocyclization mechanism involving an initial Michael addition followed by cyclization and air oxidation as reported by Jain et al. [29].

3.2. In Vitro Evaluation

All newly synthesized 1,6-naphthyridines were evaluated in vitro for their inhibitory potential against AChE enzyme from electric eel using colorimetric Ellman’s method (Table 1). All the 1,6-naphthyridines (4a–k) displayed good to moderate inhibitory activities with IC₅₀ values ranging from 2.12 to 24.72 μM, irrespective of the position of the substituent on the aryl ring. Among the 1,6-naphthyridines, compounds 4i with p-chloro, 4k with 1-naphthyl, 4h with p-methyl, and 4b with o-methyl substituent in the aromatic ring displayed good activities (<10 μM) with IC₅₀ 3.86 μM, 6.86 μM, 7.16 μM, and 7.20 μM, respectively. Compounds 4a, 4c, 4d, 4g, and 4j displayed moderate activities (IC₅₀ = 11.18–18.16 μM) while compound 4f displayed the lowest activity (IC₅₀ = 24.72 μM). Compound 4e with o-methoxy phenyl rings displayed the highest activity with IC₅₀ value of 2.12 μM, comparable to the standard drug galantamine (IC₅₀ = 2.09 μM). It is also observed that the AChE inhibitory activities were directly correlated to the size of substituents in the phenyl ring. For instance, derivative bearing bulky moieties, such as m-nitro, o,p-dichloro, and p-bromo, displayed lower inhibition than the derivatives carrying smaller functions irrespective of their position in the phenyl ring.

Table 1: Physical data and AChE inhibitory activity of naphthyridines (4a–k).

Entry
Product
Reaction time (min)
Yield
(%)
mp °C
AChE inhibition
(IC₅₀  ± SD) mol/L

1

8
75
211-212
11.18 ± 0.02

2

7
72
229-230
7.20 ± 0.02

3

7
76
220-221
15.21 ± 0.1

4

6
70
208-209
18.16 ± 0.02

5

9
67
215-216
2.12 ± 0.02

6

6
72
225-226
24.72 ± 0.01

7

6
70
206-207
16.86 ± 0.02

8

7
73
235-236
7.16 ± 0.02

9

6
78
221-222
3.86 ± 0.02

10

7
74
218-219
14.16 ± 0.02

11

10
65
204-205
6.86 ± 0.02

12
Galantamine.HBr
—
—
—
2.09 ± 0.02

The active site of AChE enzyme is located inside a 20 Å long, narrow gorge which is dominantly composed of amino acids possessing aromatic side chains such as tryptophan and tyrosine. Therefore, the derivatives bearing a relatively small and/or electron donating moieties in phenyl rings, such as methyl and methoxy, displayed better inhibitory activities than derivatives carrying bulky and/or electron withdrawing groups, plausibly due to the better insertion into the active site channel and also more efficient binding interaction with aforementioned aromatic residues. However with limited substituent on the aryl ring, it is difficult to ascertain the exact structure activity relationship based on their activities observed.

3.3. Docking Studies

The most active AChE inhibitor, 4e, was docked into the active site of AChE enzyme derived from crystal structure of Torpedo californica AChE (TcAChE). The docking analysis revealed that this compound is properly inserted into the active site of AChE enzyme with free binding energy of 8.71 kcal/mol and strongly bound to the residues comprising aromatic side chains such as Tyr70 (H-bonding 1.16 Å), Tyr121 (hydrophobic), Tyr334 (hydrophobic) at peripheral anionic site as well as Phe330 (hydrophobic), and Trp84 (π,π-stacking) at choline binding site of the enzyme (Figure 1). 4e also exhibited mild polar interaction with Gly116 and Gly117 at oxyanion hole of the AChE enzyme. The crystal structure of the TcAChE in complex with available AD drugs such as galantamine and huperzine A showed similar interactions with residues composing peripheral anionic site along with stacking against Trp84 at bottom of the gorge. It seems that the presence of methoxy group in 4e has notable influence on proper positioning of this compound in AChE active site. This orientation effectively avoids insertion and hydrolysis of substrate inside the AChE active site channel and completely coincides with the activity observed for this compound.

Figure 1: Binding interaction of 4e with active site of AChE receptor. (Hydrogen atoms are not shown for clarity.)

4. Conclusion

A series of novel 1,6-naphthyridines were synthesized in good yields and evaluated for their inhibitory potentials against AChE enzyme, using colorimetric Ellman’s method. Among them, compound 4e displayed the highest AChE inhibition with remarkable IC₅₀ value of 2.12 μM, comparable to standard drug, galantamine. Molecular modeling analysis for this compound manifested its orientation inside the active site cavity and its effective binding interactions to the residues lining the active site channel, which coincided with its in vitro activity.

Conflict of Interests

The authors confirm that this paper content has no conflict of interests.

Acknowledgment

The authors acknowledge the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Saud University for the Research Grant RGP-VPP-026.

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