UHPLC-HRMS study of pharmacokinetics of a novel hybrid cholinesterase inhibitor K1234: A comparison between in silico, in vitro and in vivo data.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common forms of dementia. Current anti-AD therapeutics exploit the cholinergic hypothesis of its pathophysiology; they aim to inhibit cerebral cholinesterases. K1234 is a novel hybrid molecule derived from Huperzine A and 7-MEOTA-huperzine which shows increased potency in acetylcholinesterase inhibition in vitro compared to the compounds themselves. The study focused on description of the pharmacokinetic behaviour of K1234, blood-brain barrier penetration, identification of the main in vitro and in vivo metabolites. K1234 is relatively non-toxic compound, that is rapidly absorbed after i.p. administration reaching Cmax within minutes, with extensive distribution into tissues and fast metabolism in mice. The dominant metabolic pathway appears to be glucuronidation of the parent molecule and its phase-I metabolites. The passage of K1234 across the blood-brain-barrier in mice appears to be limited, as it reached only approximately one third of the AUC of plasma.

UHPLC-HRMS study of anti-Alzheimer's drug candidates: metabolism of 7-MEOTA-tryptophan hybrids hampers their passage into brain.

Being among the top five causes of death in the developed world, Alzheimer's disease represents a major socio-economic issue. We administered a single intramuscular dose of two new hybrid anti-Alzheimer's compounds, with 7-methoxytacrine (7-MEOTA; acetylcholinesterase inhibitor) and tryptophan (inhibitor of amyloid accumulation) in their structure, to rats. Using validated ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) methods, we uncovered their inability to enter the site of action - the brain. We discuss four possible explanations: i) physico-chemical properties, ii) lack of active/facilitated transport, iii) effective efflux and/or iv) extensive metabolism. High-resolution mass spectrometric analyses proved that the compounds are easily hydrolysed at amide bond between tryptophan and the linker both in vitro and in vivo. Contrary to the parent compounds these metabolites - analogues of 7-MEOTA - can enter the brain in significant amounts.