Experimental and DFT Approaches to Physico-Chemical Properties of Bioactive Resveratrol Analogues

Acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase are two related enzymes that represent pharmacologically suitable targets in neurodegenerative disorders, given their physiological roles in the body. The treatment of neurodegenerative disorders currently includes common reversible cholinesterase inhibitors. Resveratrol analogues, as the molecules in focus, have shown the very strong inhibition potential of cholinesterases. In this research, experimental and DFT approaches for their pK_a value determination were carried out knowing that pK_a is very important for predicting the ADMET properties of the potentially bioactive molecules and their behavior in the environment. An in silico study was used to calculate more indicators about the absorption and distribution in the human body. Among the investigated compounds, the weakest acid was experimentally detected and confirmed using three computational models. Additionally performed calculations provided access to the potential of each resveratrol analogue to engage in both π-π stacking and hydrogen bond interactions in the active site of the enzyme crucial for the stability of the ligand-enzyme complex.