Amyloid aggregation is a pathological
trait observed in many incurable
and fatal neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases associated with
misfolding and self-assembly of various proteins. Noncovalent interactions
between these structural motifs and small molecules can, however,
prevent this aggregation. Herein, five structurally different synthetic
(Cz1–Cz4) and naturally occurring (Cz5, mahanimbine) fluorescent
carbazole analogs are explored for their comparative amyloid aggregation
inhibitory activities. Cz3 inhibited the amyloid deposition on the
pancreatic β-cells of diabetic mice. Moreover, Cz3 and Cz5 also
showed efficacy as the fluorescent cell (MIN6) imaging agents. Further
structural modifications of these carbazoles may lead to development
of low-cost and non-toxic therapeutic agents for Type 2 diabetes and
other amyloidosis-related diseases.