CHEMISTRY AND BIODIVERSITY, vol.21, no.2, pp.1-14, 2023 (SCI-Expanded)
This report presents the synthesis and characterization of a
range of benzimidazolium salts featuring 3-cyanopropyl groups on the 1st
nitrogen atom and varied alkyl groups on the 3rd nitrogen atom within the benzimidazole
structure. Benzimidazolium salts were synthesized by N-alkylation of 1-alkyl
benzimidazole with 3-cyanopropyl-bromide. The new salts were characterized by 1
H and 13C-NMR, FT-IR spectroscopic and elemental analysis techniques. In this
study, the enzyme inhibition abilities of seven nitrile substituted
benzimidazolium salts were investigated against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and
carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes I and II (hCA I and hCA II). They showed a highly
potent inhibition effect on AChE, hCA I and hCA II (Ki values are in the range
of 26.71–119.09 nM for AChE, 19.77 to 133.68 nM for hCA I and 13.09 to 266.38
nM for hCA II). Reflecting the binding mode of the synthesized cyanopropyl
series, the importance of the 2,3,5,6-tetramethylbenzyl, 3-methylbenzyl and
3-benzyl groups for optimal interactions with target proteins, evaluated by
molecular docking studies. At the same time, the docking findings support the
inhibition constants (Ki ) values of the related compounds in this study.
Potential compounds were also evaluated by their pharmacokinetic properties
were predicted.