Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Molecular Docking Studies of Novel Coumarin–Triazole–Isatin Hybrids as Selective Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibitors

A series of 21 novel coumarin–triazole–isatin hybrids was synthesized and evaluated for their potential as multitarget agents in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The compounds featured variations in alkyl linker length that connects coumarin and triazole and substitution at the 5-position of the isatin rin...

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Main Authors: Aleksandar Dimkovski, Vladimir Dobričić, Milena R. Simić, Maja Jurhar Pavlova, Evgenija Mihajloska, Zoran Sterjev, Ana Poceva Panovska
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Molecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/10/2121
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author Aleksandar Dimkovski
Vladimir Dobričić
Milena R. Simić
Maja Jurhar Pavlova
Evgenija Mihajloska
Zoran Sterjev
Ana Poceva Panovska
author_facet Aleksandar Dimkovski
Vladimir Dobričić
Milena R. Simić
Maja Jurhar Pavlova
Evgenija Mihajloska
Zoran Sterjev
Ana Poceva Panovska
author_sort Aleksandar Dimkovski
collection DOAJ
description A series of 21 novel coumarin–triazole–isatin hybrids was synthesized and evaluated for their potential as multitarget agents in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The compounds featured variations in alkyl linker length that connects coumarin and triazole and substitution at the 5-position of the isatin ring. Several derivatives showed potent butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibition with selectivity over acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The lead compound, <b>6c1</b>, exhibited strong BChE inhibition (IC<sub>50</sub> = 1.74 μM), surpassing donepezil. Enzyme kinetics revealed a mixed-type mechanism, while molecular docking studies confirmed dual binding at catalytic and peripheral sites. Structure–activity relationship (SAR) analysis highlighted the influence of linker flexibility and steric/electronic effects of substituents. The observed BChE selectivity, combined with favorable in vitro profiles, identifies these hybrids as promising leads for AD drug development.
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issn 1420-3049
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series Molecules
spelling doaj-art-631186ff1dfa4b9582729377d3d22e0a2025-08-20T03:14:42ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-05-013010212110.3390/molecules30102121Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Molecular Docking Studies of Novel Coumarin–Triazole–Isatin Hybrids as Selective Butyrylcholinesterase InhibitorsAleksandar Dimkovski0Vladimir Dobričić1Milena R. Simić2Maja Jurhar Pavlova3Evgenija Mihajloska4Zoran Sterjev5Ana Poceva Panovska6Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ss Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, 1000 Skopje, North MacedoniaDepartment of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, 11221 Belgrade, SerbiaDepartment of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, 11221 Belgrade, SerbiaInstitute for Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ss Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, 1000 Skopje, North MacedoniaInstitute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ss Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, 1000 Skopje, North MacedoniaInstitute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ss Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, 1000 Skopje, North MacedoniaInstitute for Applied Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ss Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, 1000 Skopje, North MacedoniaA series of 21 novel coumarin–triazole–isatin hybrids was synthesized and evaluated for their potential as multitarget agents in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The compounds featured variations in alkyl linker length that connects coumarin and triazole and substitution at the 5-position of the isatin ring. Several derivatives showed potent butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibition with selectivity over acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The lead compound, <b>6c1</b>, exhibited strong BChE inhibition (IC<sub>50</sub> = 1.74 μM), surpassing donepezil. Enzyme kinetics revealed a mixed-type mechanism, while molecular docking studies confirmed dual binding at catalytic and peripheral sites. Structure–activity relationship (SAR) analysis highlighted the influence of linker flexibility and steric/electronic effects of substituents. The observed BChE selectivity, combined with favorable in vitro profiles, identifies these hybrids as promising leads for AD drug development.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/10/2121coumarin–trazole–isatin derivativesAlzheimer’s diseasecholinesterasehybrid moleculesmolecular docking
spellingShingle Aleksandar Dimkovski
Vladimir Dobričić
Milena R. Simić
Maja Jurhar Pavlova
Evgenija Mihajloska
Zoran Sterjev
Ana Poceva Panovska
Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Molecular Docking Studies of Novel Coumarin–Triazole–Isatin Hybrids as Selective Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibitors
Molecules
coumarin–trazole–isatin derivatives
Alzheimer’s disease
cholinesterase
hybrid molecules
molecular docking
title Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Molecular Docking Studies of Novel Coumarin–Triazole–Isatin Hybrids as Selective Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibitors
title_full Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Molecular Docking Studies of Novel Coumarin–Triazole–Isatin Hybrids as Selective Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibitors
title_fullStr Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Molecular Docking Studies of Novel Coumarin–Triazole–Isatin Hybrids as Selective Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibitors
title_full_unstemmed Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Molecular Docking Studies of Novel Coumarin–Triazole–Isatin Hybrids as Selective Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibitors
title_short Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Molecular Docking Studies of Novel Coumarin–Triazole–Isatin Hybrids as Selective Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibitors
title_sort synthesis biological evaluation and molecular docking studies of novel coumarin triazole isatin hybrids as selective butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors
topic coumarin–trazole–isatin derivatives
Alzheimer’s disease
cholinesterase
hybrid molecules
molecular docking
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/10/2121
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