Novel Lawsone–Quinoxaline Hybrids as New Dual Binding Site Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors

Abstract

A new family of lawsone–quinoxaline hybrids was designed, synthesized, and evaluated as dual binding site cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs). In vitro tests revealed that compound 6d was the most potent AChEI (IC 50 = 20 nM) and BChEI (IC 50 = 220 nM). The compound 6d did not show cytotoxicity against the SH-SY5Y neuronal cells (GI 50 > 100 μM). In silico and enzyme kinetic experiments demonstrated that compound 6d bound to both the catalytic anionic site and the peripheral anionic site of Hu AChE. The lawsone–quinoxaline hybrids exhibited potential for further development of potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.