Synthesis of novel flavone hydrazones: in-vitro evaluation of α-glucosidase inhibition, QSAR analysis and docking studies

Thirty derivatives of flavone hydrazone (5-34) had been synthesized through a five-step reaction and screened for their α-glucosidase inhibition activity. Chalcone 1 was synthesized through aldol condensation then subjected through oxidative cyclization, esterification, and condensation reaction to afford the final products. The result for baker's yeast α-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.20) inhibition assay showed that all compounds are active with reference to the IC50 value of the acarbose (standard drug) except for compound 3. Increase in activity observed for compounds 2 to 34 clearly highlights the importance of flavone, hydrazide and hydrazone linkage in suppressing the activity of α-glucosidase. Additional functional group on N-benzylidene moiety further enhances the activity significantly. Compound 5 (15.4 ± 0.22 μM), a 2,4,6-trihydroxy substituted compound, is the most active compound in the series. Other compounds which were found to be active are those having chlorine, fluorine, and nitro substituents. Compounds with methoxy, pyridine, and methyl substituents are weakly active. Further studies showed that they are not active in inhibiting histone deacetylase activity and do not possess any cytotoxic properties. QSAR model was being developed to further identify the structural requirements contributing to the activity. Using Discovery Studio (DS) 2.5, various 2D descriptors were being used to develop the model. The QSAR model is able to predict the pIC50 and could be used as a prediction tool for compounds having the same skeletal framework. Molecular docking was done for all compounds using homology model of α-glucosidase to identify important binding modes responsible for inhibition activity.