Design and synthesis of multi-functional small-molecule based inhibitors of amyloid-β aggregation: Molecular modeling and in vitro evaluation

Amyloid-β1–42 (Aβ42) peptide aggregate formation in the brain plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. According to published research, the Aβ monomer’s amino acid residues KLVFF (16–20) self-associate to create antiparallel β-sheet fibrils. Small compounds can prevent self-assembly and destroy Aβ fibrils by attaching to the Aβ16–20 regions of Aβ42. To enhance biological characteristics and binding affinity to the amyloid beta peptide, β-sheet breaker small molecules can be developed and modified with various scaffolds. In the current study, a novel series of 2,3-disubstitutedbenzofuran derivatives was designed and created by fusing the benzofuran core of a known iron chelator, neuroprotective, and neurorestorative agent, like VK-28, with a motif found in the structure of a known muscarinic inhibitor and amyloid binding agent, like SKF-64346. Measurements of the binding affinity and in vitro aggregation inhibition of the Aβ42 peptide were made using the thioflavin T (ThT) test. Using AutoDock 4.2 software, molecular docking studies of the synthesized compounds were performed on the monomer and fibril structures of amyloid beta peptide. The compounds 8a–8g exhibited strong binding energy and affinity to Aβ fibrils as well as a 50%–67% reduction of the growth of Aβ aggregation. Finally, the positive traits of our recently synthesized compounds make them excellent candidates for additional in vivo testing as a "β-sheet breaking agent."