In vitro study on potential pharmacological activity of curcumin analogues and their copper complexes

Curcumin and its derivatives have attracted great interest in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease, thanks both to the ability to hinder the formation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) aggregates and the ability to bind Cu (II) ion. In this article, we explore the ability of curcumin derivatives of K2T series to affect amyloid Aβ_1-40 aggregation. These derivatives were obtained by introducing the t-butyl ester group through a methylenic spacer on the central carbon atom of the β-diketo moiety of curcumin frame. The studied curcuminoids were demonstrated to inhibit Aβ_1-40 fibrillization at substoichiometric concentrations with IC₅₀ value near that of curcumin. In addition, the antioxidant properties and DNA interaction of their Cu(II) complexes is evaluated. The structure of Cu(II)-K2T31 complex is also proposed on the basis of DFT calculation.