Novel hydrazones derived from anthranilic acid as potent cholinesterases and α‐glycosidase inhibitors: Synthesis, characterization, and biological effects

Abstract

N‐substitued anthranilic acid derivatives are commonly found in the structure of many biologically active molecules. In this study, new members of hydrazones derived from anthranilic acid (1−15) were synthesized and investigated their effect on some metabolic enzymes such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and α‐glycosidase (α‐Gly). Results indicated that all the molecules exhibited potent inhibitory effects against all targets as compared to the standard inhibitors, revealed by IC50 values. Ki values of compounds for AChE, BChE, and α‐Gly enzymes were obtained in the ranges 66.36 ± 8.30–153.82 ± 13.41, 52.68 ± 6.38–113.86, and 2.13 ± 0.25–2.84 nM, respectively. The molecular docking study was performed for the most active compounds to the determination of ligand–enzyme interactions. Binding affinities of the most active compound were found at the range of –9.70 to –9.00 kcal/mol for AChE, –11.60 to –10.60 kcal/mol for BChE, and −10.30 to −9.30 kcal/mol for α‐Gly. Molecular docking simulations showed that the novel compounds had preferential interaction with AChE, BChE, and α‐Gly. Drug‐likeness properties and ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) analyzes of all synthesized compounds (1−15) were estimated and their toxic properties were evaluated as well as their therapeutic properties. Moreover, molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to understand the accuracy of the most potent derivatives of docking studies.