Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of bambuterol analogues as novel inhibitors of butyrylcholinesterase.

An increase activity of butyrylcholinesterase is believed to contribute to Alzheimer's disease. Bambuterol is a known potent inhibitor of butyrylcholinesterase, but it has undesired cardiac effects and less lipophilicity. Thirteen bambuterol analogues were synthesized using 1-(3, 5-dihydroxyphenyl) ethanone as a starting material. In-vitro cholinesterase assay established that the majority of the compounds are specific butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors. Out of the 13 compounds, two bambuterol derivatives, BD-6 and BD-11 exhibited similar efficacies in inhibiting butyrylcholinesterase with fewer effects on heart and enhanced possibilities of permeating through the blood-brain barrier as compared to bambuterol. These bambuterol analogues may provide better alternatives for treatments of Alzheimer's disease.