Nrf2 Activation and Antioxidant Properties of Chromone-Containing MTDLs for Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder affecting millions worldwide and imposing a significant social and economic burden. Despite extensive research, there is still no effective cure for this disease. AD is multifactorial and involves multiple etiopathogenic mechanisms, one of which is oxidative stress. Consequently, the Nrf2/ARE pathway, which regulates the expression of cellular defense genes, including those for antioxidant enzymes, is considered to be a prospective therapeutic target for AD. Meanwhile, multitarget-directed ligands (MTDLs) are a promising approach for developing effective AD medications. In this regard, we evaluated the antioxidant potential of eight chromone-containing MTDLs in vitro, including Nrf2 transcriptional activation potencies, Nrf2/ARE downstream genes activation, and antioxidant effects in vitro. All tested compounds effectively activated the Nrf2/ARE pathway. Notably, compounds 4b, 4c, 4f, and 4h demonstrated the highest Nrf2 activation potencies, while compounds 4b, 4c, 4d, and 4g significantly induced the expression of Nrf2-target antioxidant genes, specifically NQO1 and HO1. Additionally, compound 4d exhibited a significant antioxidant effect in vitro. These findings encourage further investigation of the studied compounds, with particular emphasis on compound 4d as the most promising candidate.