Molecular and structural characterization of ureido-benzenesulfonamides as dual inhibitors of aldose reductase and cholinesterases

The conformational and kinetic intricacies of enzyme-ligand interactions are critical for understanding molecular mechanisms underlying metabolic and neurodegenerative pathologies. Herein, we report a rationally designed series of ureido-benzenesulfonamides as dual-acting nanomolar inhibitors targeting aldose reductase (ALR2) and cholinesterases (AChE and BChE). Spectrophotometric inhibition assays revealed that compound 3SA-a displayed exceptional ALR2 affinity (KI = 7.00 ± 0.68 nM), surpassing epalrestat by over 30-fold. Likewise, 3SA-f selectively inhibited BChE with a KI of 24.20 ± 2.26 nM, outperforming tacrine by a factor of 7.8. Molecular docking simulations highlighted distinct dynamic binding modes: 3SA-a engaged ALR2's catalytic cleft through a hydrogen bond with Tyr48 and water-bridged interactions, whereas 3SA-f leveraged π-π stacking and halogen bonding within BChE's extended acyl pocket. These binding orientations were consistent with SAR findings, where meta-sulfonamide placement and halogen substitution optimized selectivity and conformational complementarity. Complementary in silico ADME-Tox predictions confirmed the drug-like nature of all compounds (0 Lipinski/PAINS violations), moderate oral permeability (QPPCaco: 79–85 nm/s), and low CNS exposure (CNS score = −2), aligning with a peripheral mechanism of action. Collectively, this study provides a detailed structural and dynamic framework for dual-target enzyme inhibition, offering a tunable scaffold for future therapeutics targeting the ALR2-ChE axis. © 2025 Elsevier Inc.