Precursor-directed biosynthesis in Tabernaemontana catharinensis aiming to generate new potential Alzheimer’s drug candidates

The most common cause of dementia is associated with Alzheimer’s disease, considered by the World Health Organization a condition that demands public health priority [1]. Nowadays, the treatment is rely on acetylcholinesterase inhibitors which improves patient cognitive function [2]. Tabernaemontana species produce ibogan-type indole alkaloids that exhibit anticholinesterasic activity similar to compounds such as physostigmine and galanthamine[3]. Applying precursor-directed biosynthesis approach in plantlets system is a viable strategy to produce new-to-nature molecules [4]. Here we report the production of 4 new indole alkaloid analogues from Tabernaemontana catharinensis (Apocynaceae) plantlets after supplementation with 5-fluoro-tryptamine in the culture medium. These new fluoro-analogues can lead us to improved drugs candidates once it can show better properties compared to the natural ones [5].