In vitro evaluation of bis-pyridinium oximes bearing methoxy alkane linker as reactivators of sarin inhibited human acetylcholinesterase.

A series of bis-pyridinium oximes connected by methoxy alkane linkers were synthesized and their in vitro reactivation efficacy was evaluated against sarin-inhibited human AChE, and data were compared with 2-PAM and obidoxime. Among the synthesized compounds, 1,2-dimethoxy ethylene bis-[4,4'-(hydroxyiminomethyl) pyridinium] dichloride (4P-2) and 1,2-dimethoxy ethylene bis-[3,3'-(hydroxyiminomethyl) pyridinium] dichloride (3P-2) were found to be the most potent reactivators of human AChE inhibited by nerve agent sarin. The oximes 4P-2 and 3P-2 exhibited 41% and 36% regeneration of sarin-inhibited AChE, respectively, whereas 2-PAM showed 32% regeneration. The higher reactivation efficacy of the oximes was attributed to their acid dissociation constants (pK(a)). The pK(a) values of all the oximes were determined by UV-vis spectrophotometric method and correlated with their observed reactivation potential. Overall, the study reveals that the oxime 4P-2 may have therapeutic potential in the reactivation of human AChE inhibited by sarin. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.