Dual functional antioxidant and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease: Design, synthesis and evaluation of novel melatonin-alkylbenzylamine hybrids

•Novel melatonin-based compounds were designed and synthesized.•5 displayed potent inhibitory activity and the excellentive selectivity against BuChE.•5 could scavenge free radicals and induce expression of the Nrf2.•5 displayed the good abilities to penetrate BBB.