Extensive SAR and computational studies of 3-{4-[(benzylmethylamino)methyl]phenyl}-6,7-dimethoxy-2H-2-chromenone (AP2238) derivatives.

AP2238 was the first compound published to bind both anionic sites of the human acetylcholinesterase, allowing the simultaneous inhibition of the catalytic and the amyloid-beta pro-aggregating activities of AChE. Here we attempted to derive a comprehensive structure-activity relationship picture for this molecule, affording 28 derivatives for which AChE and BChE inhibitory activities were evaluated. Selected compounds were also tested for their ability to prevent the AChE-induced Abeta-aggregation. Moreover, docking simulations and molecular orbital calculations were performed.