Water soluble biguanide salts and their 1,3,5-triazine derivatives as inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase and α-glucosidase

Seven biguanide derivatives were prepared by the nucleophilic reaction between dicyandiamide and p-substitute aniline derivatives or memantine or adamantine under acidic conditions. The cyclization of the biguanide compounds were also conducted via acetone to give 1,3,5-triazine derivatives. The structures of the synthesized compounds were characterized by analytical methods. The solid state structures of [HL5]Cl, [H2L7]Cl2, [HL1a]Cl and [HL5a]Cl were investigated by X-ray diffraction study. The acetylcholinesterase and α-glucosidase inhibitor properties of the compounds were then evaluated by the spectroscopic method. The compounds were found to show considerable acetylcholinesterase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities compared to the approved drugs. The cyclization of biguanide derivatives with acetone did not affect inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, yet increased the α-glucosidase inhibition.