Computational Evaluation of the Potential Pharmacological Activity of Salen-Type Ligands in Alzheimer's Disease

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia representing from 60% to 70% of the cases globally. It is a multifactorial disease that, among its many pathological characteristics, has been found to provoke the metal ion dysregulation in the brain, along with an increase in the oxidative stress. There is proof that metallic complexes formed by the amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) and extraneuronal copper can catalyze the production of reactive oxygen species, leading to an increase in oxidative stress, promoting neuronal death. Due to this interaction, bioavailable copper has become an important redox active target to consider within the search protocols of multifunctional agents for AD's treatment. Objective: In this study, we examined by using bioinformatics and electronic structure calculations the potential application of 44 salen-type copper chelating ligands and 12 further proposed molecules as possible multifunctional agents in the context of AD. Methods: The candidates were evaluated by combining bioinformatic tools and electronic structure calculations, which allowed us to classify the molecules as potential antioxidants, redistributor-like compounds, and the newly proposed suppressor mechanism. Results: This evaluation demonstrate that salen-type ligands exhibit properties suitable for interfering in the chain of copper-induced oxidative stress reactions present in AD and potential redistributor and suppressor activity for copper ions. Finally, a novel set of plausible candidates is proposed and evaluated. Conclusion: According to the evaluated criteria, a subset of 13 salen-type candidates was found to exhibit promissory pharmacological properties in the AD framework and were classified according to three plausible action mechanisms.