Stylopine as multi-target anti-Alzheimer agent
Hassan Nour1, Nouh Mounadi1, Abdelouahid Samadi2
1Laboratory of Analytical and Molecular Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences Ben M'Sik, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco.
Scientific Reports
|July 8, 2026
Summary
Stylopine shows potential as a multi-target drug for Alzheimer's disease by inhibiting key enzymes. Further research is needed to confirm its therapeutic efficacy in treating this complex neurodegenerative disorder.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Computational Chemistry
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with limited treatment options.
- Current AD therapies offer symptomatic relief but do not alter disease progression.
- Multi-target drug development is a promising strategy for AD treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate alkaloids as potential multi-target agents for Alzheimer's disease using in silico methods.
- To identify promising alkaloid candidates with anti-Alzheimer activity.
- To assess the binding affinity and pharmacokinetic profile of identified candidates.
Main Methods:
- In silico evaluation of alkaloids using PASS software for biological activity prediction.
- Assessment of binding affinity to key Alzheimer's targets: acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), and β-secretase (BACE-1).
- Molecular dynamics simulations and MM-GBSA calculations to analyze ligand-target interactions.
Main Results:
- Stylopine was identified as a promising candidate with potential anti-Alzheimer activity.
- Stylopine exhibited strong binding affinity for Torpedo AChE, BuChE, and BACE-1.
- Molecular simulations confirmed the stability of stylopine-target interactions and indicated a favorable pharmacokinetic profile.
Conclusions:
- Stylopine demonstrates potential as a multitarget agent for Alzheimer's disease treatment.
- The in silico findings suggest stylopine warrants further experimental investigation for efficacy.
- Stylopine represents a promising lead compound for developing novel Alzheimer's therapeutics.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment
Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder, is pathologically identified by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of tau protein. AD pharmacotherapy aims to manage cognitive symptoms, delay disease progression, and treat behavioral symptoms. The treatment is primarily symptomatic and palliative, with no definitive disease-modifying therapy available. Cholinesterase inhibitors, including donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne), are...
01:29Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction
Alzheimer disease is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia in older adults. It leads to gradual neuronal loss, causing cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and loss of functional independence.Risk Factors and EtiologyThe disease is multifactorial. Age is the strongest risk factor, with prevalence doubling every 5 years after age 65. Genetic factors include mutations in genes such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2, which are associated...
01:23Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Alzheimer disease involves structural changes in the brain that begin long before symptoms appear. The most distinctive features are extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles.Neuritic plaques form in the cerebral cortex and around blood vessels. These plaques contain a dense core of beta-amyloid (Aβ)—a toxic protein fragment that clumps outside neurons. The core is surrounded by damaged neuronal extensions, as well as reactive astrocytes and microglia. Abnormal...
01:29Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship
Indirect-acting cholinergic agonists are agents that interact with the acetylcholinesterase enzyme in the synaptic cleft, preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine into choline and acetate. Consequently, the concentration of acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft increases. These agonists can be classified into reversible and irreversible inhibitors based on their duration of action.
Reversible inhibitors display short to medium durations of action. Short-acting agents include simple alcohols with...
Reversible inhibitors display short to medium durations of action. Short-acting agents include simple alcohols with...
01:24Parkinson's Disease: Treatment
Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease (PD), involve the gradual and irreversible destruction of neurons in particular brain areas. These disorders exhibit standard features like proteinopathies, selective vulnerability of some neurons, and an interaction of intrinsic properties, genetics, and environmental influences in neural injury.
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of its...
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of its...
01:26Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a continually advancing neurodegenerative disorder, distinguished by escalating memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. The disease unfolds in three stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Its onset is insidious, and the progression gradual, with the cause not well explained by other disorders.
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...