Sixteen new selenium-containing indole chalcone and diarylketone derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as tubulin polymerization inhibitors. Among them, compound 25b exhibited the most potent antiproliferative activities against six human cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 0.004–0.022 μM. A microtubule dynamics assay and an immunofluorescence assay confirmed that 25b could effectively inhibit tubulin polymerization (IC50 = 2.1 ± 0.27 μM). Further cellular mechanism studies revealed that 25b induced G2/M phase arrest, which was further evidenced by the decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP).

Twenty-nine novel indole-chalcone derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for antiproliferative activity. Among them, 14k exhibited most potent activity, with IC50 values of 3–9 nM against six cancer cells, which displayed a 3.8–8.7-fold increase in activity when compare with compound 2. Further investigation revealed 14k was a novel tubulin polymerization inhibitor binding to the colchicine site. Its low cytotoxicity toward normal human cells and nearly equally potent activity against drug-resistant cells revealed the possibility for cancer therapy. Cellular mechanism studies elucidated 14k arrests cell cycle at G2/M phase and induces apoptosis along with the decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential. Furthermore, good metabolic stability of 14k was observed in mouse liver microsomes. Importantly, 14k and its phosphate salt 14k-P inhibited tumor growth in xenograft models in vivo without apparent toxicity, which was better than the reference compound CA-4P and 2. In summary, 14k deserves consideration for cancer therapy.

A novel series of compounds obtained by fusing the metal-chelating agent clioquinol and the antioxidant ebselen were designed, synthesized and evaluated as multi-target-directed ligands against Alzheimer's disease (AD). Specifically, compared with their parent compounds clioquinol and ebselen, these hybrids demonstrated significant potency in inhibiting self- and Cu(II)-induced amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation and acted as remarkable antioxidants and biometal chelators. In addition, the hybrids showed considerable improvements in ebselen-related pharmacological properties, including the ability to mimic glutathione peroxidase and scavenge H2O2. Of these molecules, compound 10h was identified as a potential lead compound for AD therapy. Importantly, this compound was found to possess rapid H2O2 scavenging activity and glutathione peroxidase-like (GPx-like) activity. Moreover, compound 10h was able to efficiently disassemble preformed self- and Cu(II)-induced Aβ aggregates. Furthermore, 10h was able to penetrate the central nervous system (CNS) and did not exhibit any acute toxicity in mice at doses up to 2000 mg kg−1.

A novel series of clioquinol-moracin hybrids were designed and synthesized by fusing the pharmacophores of clioquinol and moracin M, and their activities as multitarget-directed ligands against Alzheimer’s disease were evaluated. Biological activity results demonstrated that these hybrids possessed significant inhibitory activities against phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D) and Aβ aggregation as well as remarkable antioxidant effects and excellent blood–brain barrier permeability. The optimal compound, 18d (WBQ5187), exhibited excellent PDE4D inhibitory potency (IC50 = 0.32 μM), significant antioxidant effects, appropriate biometal chelating functions, and interesting properties that modulated self- and metal-induced Aβ aggregation. Two-dimensional NMR studies revealed that 18d had significant interactions with Aβ1–42 at the R5, H6, H14, Q15, and F20 residues. Furthermore, this typical hybrid possessed preeminent neuroprotective effects against inflammation in microglial cells. Most importantly, oral administration of 18d·HCl demonstrated marked improvements in cognitive and spatial memory in a rat model of Alzheimer’s disease and protected hippocampal neurons from necrosis.

Using support from rational computer-assisted design, a novel series of hybrids (selenoxy–chinolin) designed by fusing the metal-chelating agent CQ and the antioxidant ebselen were synthesized and evaluated as multitarget-directed ligands. Most of the hybrids demonstrated significant ability to mimic GPx, which is highly consistent with the prediction results of DFT studies for the selenenyl sulfide intermediates in the computational design. Using 77Se, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectroscopy (HRMS), a novel catalytic mechanism, including a new selenium quinone active species, was first demonstrated. 2D NMR studies indicated that the typical hybrid has an effective interaction with Aβ. In addition, the optimal compound 12k was found to possess an excellent ability to scavenge peroxide and to inhibit self- and metal-induced Aβ aggregation, and an ability to disassemble preformed self- and metal-induced Aβ aggregates effectively. Furthermore, 12k was able to penetrate the central nervous system (CNS) and did not exhibit any acute toxicity in mice at doses up to 2000 mg kg−1. Overall, we demonstrated that hybrid 12k, through rational structure-based computational design, shows a potential for development as a therapeutic agent in AD.

•Thirteen benzoselenazole-stilbene hybrids were synthesized.•Most of the compounds demonstrated excellent antiproliferative activities and good TrxR inhibitory activities.•The mechanism of 6e induced apoptosis in cancer cells was investigated.To identify novel multi-target-directed drug candidates for the treatment of cancer, a series of benzoselenazole-stilbene hybrids were synthesised by combining the pharmacophores of resveratrol and ebselen. The biological assay indicated that all of the hybrids exhibited antiproliferative activities against four human cancer cell lines and demonstrated good TrxR inhibitory activities. The mechanism of cell apoptosis was investigated in G2/M cell cycle arrest induced by compound 6e and the apoptosis of the human liver carcinoma Bel-7402 cell line. The significant increase in intracellular ROS confirmed that compound 6e was capable of causing oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in cancer cells. Our results support the potential of compound 6e as a candidate for further studies examining the development of novel drugs for cancer treatment.These properties highlight the potential of compound 6e as a candidate for further studies on the development of novel drugs for cancer treatment.

A series of novel chalcone analogues were designed, synthesized and evaluated as anticancer agents. The results of antiproliferative activity tests showed that most of the analogues exhibited moderate to very good antiproliferative activities with GI50 values in the micromol to sub-micromol range. Especially compound 10a gave 0.026 μM to 0.035 μM GI50 for five cancer cell lines. The mechanistic studies including tubulin polymerization inhibition, disruption of microtubule dynamics and cell cycle arrest assay demonstrated that compound 10a could effectively inhibit in vitro cellular tubulin polymerization, interfere with the mitosis, resulting in a prolonged G2/M cell cycle arrest and ultimately lead to cell apoptosis of cancer cells. Taken together, these results suggested that 10a may became a promising lead compound for development of new anticancer drugs.

In the course of our search for novel antitumor agents, a series of cyclic combretastatin A-4 (CA-4) analogues bearing an amide group, A–B or B–C ring condensation, and CC or CN bond in the B ring were designed, synthesized and identified as new microtubule inhibitors. The structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies showed that the hexa-cyclic compounds bearing B–C ring condensation, containing a CC bond in the B ring (4a) provided excellent antiproliferative activities at nanomolar concentrations against various cancer cell lines (IC50 = 46–80 nM). 4a inhibited tubulin assembly at a micromolar range (IC50 = 2.56 ± 0.15 μM) as evidenced by a molecular docking study, which revealed that 4a exerted tubulin polymerisation inhibitory activity by binding to the colchicine binding site of tubulin. Further molecular biology studies showed that 4a disrupted intracellular microtubule polymerisation and thus induced G2/M phase arrest and apoptotsis in A549 cells. Altogether, these results we obtained can guide the design of novel potent molecules for future development.

A series of selenium-containing clioquinol derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated as multifunctional anti-Alzheimer’s disease (AD) agents. In vitro examination showed that several target compounds exhibited activities such as inhibition of metal-induced Aβ aggregation, antioxidative properties, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, and the prevention of copper redox cycling. A parallel artificial membrane permeation assay indicated that selenium-containing clioquinol derivatives possessed significant blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Compound 8a, with a propynylselanyl group linked to the oxine, demonstrated higher hydrogen peroxide scavenging and intracellular antioxidant activity than clioquinol. Furthermore, 8a exhibited significant inhibition of Cu(II)-induced Aβ1–42 aggregation and was capable of disassembling the preformed Cu(II)-induced Aβ aggregates. Therefore, 8a is an excellent multifunctional promising compound for development of novel drugs for AD.Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; antioxidative properties; inhibition of metal-induced Aβ aggregation; selenium-containing clioquinol derivatives

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is currently one of the most difficult and challenging diseases to treat. Based on the ‘multi-target-directed ligands’ (MTDLs) strategy, we designed and synthesised a series of new compounds against AD by combining the pharmacophores of resveratrol and clioquinol. The results of biological activity tests showed that the hybrids exhibited excellent MTDL properties: a significant ability to inhibit self-induced β-amyloid (Aβ) aggregation and copper(II)-induced Aβ aggregation, potential antioxidant behaviour (ORAC-FL value of 0.9–3.2 Trolox equivalents) and biometal chelation. Among these compounds, (E)-5-(4-hydroxystyryl)quinoline-8-ol (10c) showed the most potent ability to inhibit self-induced Aβ aggregation (IC50 = 8.50 μM) and copper(II)-induced Aβ aggregation and to disassemble the well-structured Aβ fibrils generated by self- and copper(II)-induced Aβ aggregation. Note that 10c could also control Cu(I/II)-triggered hydroxyl radical (OH˙) production by halting copper redox cycling via metal complexation, as confirmed by a Cu–ascorbate redox system assay. Importantly, 10c did not show acute toxicity in mice at doses of up to 2000 mg kg−1 and was able to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB), according to a parallel artificial membrane permeation assay. These results indicate that compound 10c is a promising multifunctional compound for the development of novel drugs for AD.

A series of new ortho-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-acetanilides were synthesised by the cross-coupling reaction catalyzed with Pd catalyst in aqueous medium, with polyethylene glycol as additive under very mild conditions. The evaluation of these compounds as tubulin polymerization inhibitors indicated that most of these compounds were potential anti-cancer agents. Among them, compound 13, 2-hydroxy-N-(5-methoxy-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxy benzoyl)phenyl) acetamide exhibited excellent antiproliferative activity against various human cancer cell lines (GI50 = 71 nM for human HeLa cell line), and good activity for inhibiting tubulin polymerization (IC50 = 2.94 μM). The mechanism study indicated that compound 13 could arrest cell-cycle progression at the mitosis phase, block the formation of cdc2/cyclin B1 complex, down-regulate the p-Cdc 25C and the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL, and up-regulate the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Bad.

A novel series of compounds obtained by fusing the cholinesterase inhibitor donepezil and the antioxidant ebselen were designed as multi-target-directed ligands against Alzheimer’s disease. An in vitro assay showed that some of these molecules did not exhibit highly potent cholinesterase inhibitory activity but did have various other ebselen-related pharmacological effects. Among the molecules, compound 7d, one of the most potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (IC50 values of 0.042 μM for Electrophorus electricus acetylcholinesterase and 0.097 μM for human acetylcholinesterase), was found to be a strong butyrylcholinesterase inhibitor (IC50 = 1.586 μM), to possess rapid H2O2 and peroxynitrite scavenging activity and glutathione peroxidase-like activity (ν0 = 123.5 μM min–1), and to be a substrate of mammalian TrxR. A toxicity test in mice showed no acute toxicity at doses of up to 2000 mg/kg. According to an in vitro blood–brain barrier model, 7d is able to penetrate the central nervous system.

A series of multitarget-directed resveratrol derivatives was designed and synthesized for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In vitro studies indicated that most of the target compounds exhibit significant inhibition of self-induced β-amyloid (Aβ) aggregation and Cu(II)-induced Aβ1–42 aggregation and acted as potential antioxidants and biometal chelators. In particular, compounds 5d and 10d are potential lead compounds for AD therapy (5d, IC50 = 7.56 μM and 10d, IC50 = 6.51 μM for self-induced Aβ aggregation; the oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay using fluorescein (ORAC-FL) values are 4.72 and 4.70, respectively). Moreover, these compounds are capable of disassembling the highly structured Aβ fibrils generated by self- and Cu(II)-induced Aβ aggregation. Furthermore, 5d crossed the blood–brain barrier (BBB) in vitro and did not exhibit any acute toxicity in mice at doses of up to 2000 mg/kg. Taken together, the data indicate that 5d is a very promising lead compound for AD.

A series of berberine–thiophenyl hybrids were designed, synthesised, and evaluated as inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) and β-amyloid (Aβ) aggregation and as antioxidants. Among these hybrids, compounds 4f and 4i, berberine linked with o-methylthiophenyl and o-chlorothiophenyl by a 2-carbon spacer, were observed to be potent inhibitors of AChE, with IC50 values of 0.077 and 0.042 μM, respectively. Of the tested compounds, 4i was also the most potent inhibitor of BuChE, with an IC50 value of 0.662 μM. Kinetic studies and molecular modelling simulations of the AChE-inhibitor complex indicated that a mixed-competitive binding mode existed for these berberine derivatives. The biological studies also demonstrated that these hybrids displayed interesting activities, including Aβ aggregation inhibition and antioxidant properties.A series of berberine-thiophenyl hybrids were designed, synthesised, and evaluated as inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) and β-amyloid (Aβ) aggregation and as antioxidants. Among these hybrids, compounds 4f was observed to be potent inhibitors of AChE, with IC50 values of 0.077 μM. The biological studies also demonstrated that these hybrids displayed interesting activities, including Aβ aggregation inhibition and antioxidant properties.

A series of Tacrine–Homoisoflavonoid hybrids were designed, synthesised and evaluated as inhibitors of cholinesterases (ChEs) and human monoamine oxidases (MAOs). Most of the compounds were found to be potent against both ChEs and MAO-B. Among these hybrids, compound 8b, with a 6 carbon linker between tacrine and (E)-7-hydroxy-3-(4-methoxybenzylidene)chroman-4-one, proved to be the most potent against AChE and MAO-B with IC50 values of 67.9 nM and 0.401 μM, respectively. This compound was observed to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB) in a parallel artificial membrane permeation assay for the BBB (PAMPA-BBB). The results indicated that compound 8b is an excellent multifunctional promising compound for development of novel drugs for Alzheimer’s disease (AD).A series of Tacrine–Homoisoflavonoid hybrids were designed, synthesised, and evaluated as inhibitors of cholinesterases (ChEs) and human monoamine oxidases (MAOs). Among these hybrids, compound 8b were observed to be potent inhibitors of AChE and MAO-B, with IC50 values of 67.9 nM and 0.401 μM, respectively. The PAMPA-BBB assay also demonstrated that this compound has the ability to cross the BBB (blood–brain barrier).

Using support from rational computer-assisted design, a novel series of hybrids (selenoxy–chinolin) designed by fusing the metal-chelating agent CQ and the antioxidant ebselen were synthesized and evaluated as multitarget-directed ligands. Most of the hybrids demonstrated significant ability to mimic GPx, which is highly consistent with the prediction results of DFT studies for the selenenyl sulfide intermediates in the computational design. Using 77Se, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectroscopy (HRMS), a novel catalytic mechanism, including a new selenium quinone active species, was first demonstrated. 2D NMR studies indicated that the typical hybrid has an effective interaction with Aβ. In addition, the optimal compound 12k was found to possess an excellent ability to scavenge peroxide and to inhibit self- and metal-induced Aβ aggregation, and an ability to disassemble preformed self- and metal-induced Aβ aggregates effectively. Furthermore, 12k was able to penetrate the central nervous system (CNS) and did not exhibit any acute toxicity in mice at doses up to 2000 mg kg−1. Overall, we demonstrated that hybrid 12k, through rational structure-based computational design, shows a potential for development as a therapeutic agent in AD.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is currently one of the most difficult and challenging diseases to treat. Based on the ‘multi-target-directed ligands’ (MTDLs) strategy, we designed and synthesised a series of new compounds against AD by combining the pharmacophores of resveratrol and clioquinol. The results of biological activity tests showed that the hybrids exhibited excellent MTDL properties: a significant ability to inhibit self-induced β-amyloid (Aβ) aggregation and copper(II)-induced Aβ aggregation, potential antioxidant behaviour (ORAC-FL value of 0.9–3.2 Trolox equivalents) and biometal chelation. Among these compounds, (E)-5-(4-hydroxystyryl)quinoline-8-ol (10c) showed the most potent ability to inhibit self-induced Aβ aggregation (IC50 = 8.50 μM) and copper(II)-induced Aβ aggregation and to disassemble the well-structured Aβ fibrils generated by self- and copper(II)-induced Aβ aggregation. Note that 10c could also control Cu(I/II)-triggered hydroxyl radical (OH˙) production by halting copper redox cycling via metal complexation, as confirmed by a Cu–ascorbate redox system assay. Importantly, 10c did not show acute toxicity in mice at doses of up to 2000 mg kg−1 and was able to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB), according to a parallel artificial membrane permeation assay. These results indicate that compound 10c is a promising multifunctional compound for the development of novel drugs for AD.