Abstract

A new family of 1,2,4-thiadiazolidinone derivatives containing the N-benzylpiperidine fragment has been synthesised. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity of all compounds was measured using Ellman's method and some of them turned out to be as potent as tacrine. Furthermore, compound 13 was as active as tacrine in reversing the blockade induced by tubocurarine at rat neuromuscular junction. Additionally, receptor binding studies provided new lead compounds for further development of alpha (2)-adrenergic and sigma-receptor antagonists. Molecular dynamic simulation using X-ray crystal structure of AChE from Torpedo californica was used to explain the possible binding mode of these new compounds. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.