Butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors as potential anti-Alzheimer’s agents: an updated patent review (2018-present)
José G. Fernández‐Bolaños, Óscar López
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Alzheimer's disease (AD) constitutes one of the most devastating diseases, with an extraordinarily high increase expected for the next few years. Despite the numerous efforts so far, there is still no cure but just palliative treatments. AREAS COVERED: The main topic covered herein has been the development of butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibitors with the aim of increasing the levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh). Two main groups of compounds have been considered: multitarget and non-multitarget ligands, depending on whether the structural design is focused or not on other key targets and pathogenic factors of the disease. Seventeen patents regarding multitarget-directed ligands (MTDLs), twelve for non-multitarget derivatives, and three for miscellaneous use have been covered in the period 2018-2021. EXPERT OPINION: BuChE is an attractive target in the treatment of AD. It is the most prevalent cholinesterase within more advanced stages of the disease, so drugs inhibiting it would be suitable for the treatment of mid- to severe Alzheimer's patients. Moreover, BuChE has been proved to be connected with some other key hallmarks of the disease, like amyloidogenesis; hybridization of a BuChE-targeting pharmacophore with other scaffolds designed for other therapeutic targets is quite a promising design for potential anti-Alzheimer's drugs.