Synthesis of novel N-benzyl substituted piperidine amides of 1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid as potential inhibitors of cholinesterases

A series of novel N-benzyl substituted amides of 1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). The target compounds (6bñ6e) displayed moderate potency to inhibit BuChE. One of the compounds tested, i.e., 1- benzylpiperidine amide of 1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (6a) was a weak, non-selective inhibitor for both enzymes. The highest inhibitory activity towards BuChE (30.06% [10 μM]) was determined for compound (6c) which is 1-(3-chloro)benzylpiperidine amide of 1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid.