Naphthoxazoles and heterobenzoxazoles: cholinesterase inhibition and antioxidant activity

摘要

Finding novel cholinesterase inhibitors that would be able to cross the blood--brain barrier, have favorable pharmacokinetic parameters, and reduce hepatotoxicity along with other side effects has been the main focus of investigations dealing with Alzheimer disease. In this study we evaluated cholinesterase inhibitory and antioxidant activity of seven oxazole derivatives. These compounds have been efficiently and sustainably prepared by photochemical electrocyclization reaction. Various naphthoxazoles have been previously investigated as potential antibacterial, antituberculosis, and anticancer agents. They have also been tested for antioxidant activity, but never for cholinesterase inhibitory activity. Among the tested oxazole derivatives, fused heterobenzoxazole compounds with pyridine and thiophene moiety, oxazolo[5,4-$h$]isoquinoline, thieno[2',3':5,6]benzo[1,2-$d$]oxazole, and thieno[3',2':5,6]benzo[1,2-$d$]oxazole, showed the greatest potential for both cholinesterase inhibitory and antioxidant activity. Among them, thieno[2',3':5,6]benzo[1,2-$d$]oxazole was found to be the best one.