Evodiamine derivatives improve cognitive abilities in APPswe/PS1ΔE9 transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease

• Main Authors: Shuo Pang, Caixian Sun, Shan Gao, Yajun Yang, Xiandao Pan, Lianfeng Zhang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2020-06-01
• Series: Animal Models and Experimental Medicine
• Subjects: evodiamine derivatives; mouse model; neuroprotective; spatial memory
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1002/ame2.12126

Abstract Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease. Due to the complexity of its molecular pathogenesis and the interaction of the numerous factors involved, the etiology and pathogenesis of AD have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, effective treatment for AD remains to be developed. Evodiamine, a quinolone alkaloid, has been found to improve learning and memory ability to in the APPswe/PS1△E9 mouse model of dementia. However, the cytotoxicity and physicochemical properties of evodiamine have limited its use in the treatment of AD. Methods Evodiamine and its derivatives were effectively synthesized by EDCI‐mediated condensation at room temperature. These target compounds contained 1 thio‐ and 21 oxo‐evodiamine derivatives with different substituted groups. The cytotoxicity of evodiamine and its derivatives and the neuroprotective effects of the evodiamine derivatives against H2O2‐induced cell loss in SH‐SY5Y cells were investigated using the WST‐8 assay. The Morris water‐maze test was used to detect the effect of evodiamine and its derivatives on improving learning and memory in APPswe/PS1△E9 mice. Results In this study, a series of oxo‐ and thio‐evodiamine derivatives was synthesized. Several derivatives showed lower cytotoxicity and stronger neuroprotective effects than evodiamine and elicited enhanced cognitive improvement, especially in the test of spatial memory in APPswe/PS1△E9 mice. Conclusion Our study provides insights for developing novel evodiamine derivatives for chemical intervention and treatment of AD.