Design and Biological Evaluation of an Al(III)-Alloxazine Complex as a Potential Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor

Objective: Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) have long been employed in the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this study, we synthesized a novel aluminium (III) complex of the alloxazine ligand (L) and investigated its acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory properties, with the aim of contributing to the development of new therapeutic agents for AD. Material and Methods: The Al (III)–alloxazine complex was synthesized and characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, ^1H-NMR, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), atomic absorption spectroscopy, argentometry, and elemental analysis. In an experimental rat model, AChE inhibitory activity in brain tissue was evaluated using Ellman’s method. Histopathological examination was also performed on liver and spleen samples. Results: The AChE inhibitory properties of the ligand and its complex were assessed in brain tissues of rats in both study and control groups. AChE activity in the Al group was measured at 0.93 μmol/mg, a value comparable to that observed in AD (0.79 μmol/mg). In contrast, the Al–ligand complex yielded an activity level of 0.055 μmol/mg, while the control and ligand-only groups exhibited similar activity values. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the alloxazine ligand may reduce aluminum accumulation in brain tissue and exert a modest positive effect on AChE inhibition. Further multidisciplinary studies are warranted to explore its potential role in the development of novel therapeutic strategies for AD.