Despite of many diverse biological activities exhibited by benzimidazole scaffold, it is rarely explored for the α-amylase inhibitory activity. For that purpose, 2-aryl benzimidazole derivatives 1-45 were synthesized and screened for in vitro α-amylase inhibitory activity. Structures of all synthetic compounds were deduced by various spectroscopic techniques. All compounds revealed inhibition potential with IC50 values of 1.48 ± 0.38-2.99 ± 0.14 μM, when compared to the standard acarbose (IC50 = 1.46 ± 0.26 μM). Limited SAR suggested that the variation in the inhibitory activities of the compounds are the result of different substitutions on aryl ring. In order to rationalize the binding interactions of most active compounds with the active site of α-amylase enzyme, in silico study was conducted.
Acarbose and voglibose are well-known α-amylase inhibitors used for the management of type-II diabetes mellitus. Unfortunately, these well-known and clinically used inhibitors are also associated with several adverse effects. Therefore, there is still need to develop the safer therapy. Despite of a broad spectrum of biological significances of pyrazolone, it is infrequently evaluated for α-amylase inhibition. Current study deals with the synthesis and biological screening of aryl and arylidene substituted pyrazolones 1-18 for their potential α-amylase inhibitory activity. Structures of synthetic derivatives 1-18 were identified by different spectroscopic techniques. All compounds 1-18 (IC50 = 1.61 ± 0.16 μM to 2.38 ± 0.09 μM) exhibited significant to moderate inhibitory potential when compared to standard acarbose (IC50 = 1.46 ± 0.26 μM). A number of derivatives including 8-12 (IC50 = 1.68 ± 0.1 μM to 1.97 ± 0.07 μM) and 14-16 (IC50 = 1.61 ± 0.16 μM to 1.93 ± 0.07 μM) were found to be significantly active. Limited SAR suggested that different substitutions on compounds do not have any significant effect on the inhibitory potential. Compounds were found to be mixed-type inhibitors revealed by kinetic studies. However, in silico study was identified a number of key features participating in the interaction with the binding site of α-amylase enzyme.