Maqbool Ahmada,
Humayun Pervez*a,
Sumera Zaibb,
Muhammad Yaquba,
Muhammad Moazzam Naseerc,
Shafi Ullah Khanb and
Jamshed Iqbal*b
aInstitute of Chemical Sciences, Organic Chemistry Division, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan. E-mail: pdhpervez@hotmail.com
bCentre for Advanced Drug Research, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad 22060, Pakistan. E-mail: drjamshed@ciit.net.pk
cDepartment of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
First published on 16th June 2016
A new series of thirty nine 5-trifluoromethoxy/fluoro/chloro-isatin 3-hydrazonothiazolines 5a–n, 6a–o and 7a–j were synthesized by cyclization of the corresponding intermediate N4-aryl-substituted isatin-3-thiosemicarbazones 3 (prepared by condensation of appropriate isatin 1 with appropriate N4-aryl-substituted 3-thiosemicarbazides 2) with 4-chlorophenacyl bromide 4 in absolute ethanol or ethanol–benzene mixture and screened for their cytotoxicity, phytotoxicity, antifungal and urease inhibitory potential. All the synthesized compounds were found to be almost inactive in a brine shrimp (Artemia salina) bioassay, demonstrating IC50 values > 1.62 × 10−4 to 2.17 × 10−4 M. In a phytotoxicity assay, out of thirty-nine compounds tested, six i.e. 5i, 6h, 6i, 6k, 7c and 7h proved to be active, showing weak or non-significant (5–30%) activity at the highest tested concentration (500 μg mL−1). Similarly, in antifungal assay, twenty-six compounds i.e. 5a, 5b, 5d–f, 5h–j, 5m, 6a, 6b, 6d, 6j, 6l–o, 7a, 7b and 7d–j were found to be active against one, two, or three selected fungal strains, exhibiting weak or non-significant inhibition (10–30%). Of these, 6d and 6o displayed a relatively better activity profile in terms of the number of organisms inhibited. On the other hand, in a urease inhibition bioassay, all the synthesized hydrazonothiazolines proved to be potent enzyme inhibitors, demonstrating inhibitory activity with IC50 values ranging from 3.70 ± 0.62 to 849 ± 2.26 μM. Compounds 5c, 5g–i, 5k, 5n, 6b, 6c, 6i, 6k, 6l, 6n, 6o, 7a, 7e, 7i and 7j were, however, found to be relatively very potent, displaying outstanding enzymatic activity (IC50 = 3.70 ± 0.62 to 20.9 ± 0.57 μM), even better than the reference inhibitor thiourea (IC50 = 22.3 ± 1.12 μM), and may thus act as valid leads for further studies. Molecular docking studies of the synthesized isatin–thiazolines 5a–n, 6a–o and 7a–j were also carried out to elucidate their relationship with the binding pockets of the enzyme. This study offers the first example of exhibition of urease inhibitory potential by isatin–thiazolines and as such provides a solid basis for further research on these compounds to develop more potent antiurease compounds of medicinal/agricultural interest.
The structures of the synthesized isatin-3-hydrazonothiazolines 5a–n, 6a–o and 7a–j were established on the basis of elemental (CHN) and spectral (IR, 1H NMR, EIMS) analyses. Satisfactory elemental analyses were obtained for all the compounds synthesized in this study. Also, the spectral data were in agreement with the relevant literature.21,34,38 The IR spectra of isatin–thiazolines 5a–n, 6a–o and 7a–j showed a single band resulting from NH stretching of indole in the 3261–3008 cm−1 region. The lactam CO and azomethine CN were observed in the 1739–1693 and 1631–1558 cm−1 regions, respectively.21,34,38 The 1H-NMR spectra of 5a–n, 6a–o and 7a–j did not show the down field signals of thiosemicarbazone N4-H and N2-H, and displayed one or two separate singlets at δ 10.39–10.75 and δ 10.35–10.77, respectively, for indole NH. The thiazoline ring C5–H resonated either as a singlet at δ 7.01–7.22 or two separate singlets at δ 6.90–7.12 or a multiplet at δ 6.95–7.13.21,34,38 Furthermore, the 1H-NMR spectra of compounds 6c, 6d, 6f, 6o, 7a, 7c, 7d and 7f–j exhibited duplicate signals, confirming the presence of two isomers. It is suggested that in these compounds, the restricted rotation about the azomethine (CN) linkage and the partial double bond character of the lactam C–N bond, induced by delocalization of the nitrogen lone pair of electrons onto the carbonyl oxygen, led to the formation of E and Z isomers.21,38 The EI mass spectra of 5a–n, 6a–o and 7a–j showed molecular ions of different intensity peculiar to the isatin and thiazoline moieties. The key fragmentation pathways involved the N–N, N–C, and N–CO bonds fission.38 The proposed fragmentation patterns of compounds 5c, 6g and 7f, representing each series of isatin–thiazoline hybrids, are illustrated in Fig. 1–3, respectively. X-ray structures of two representative examples 6e and 6i were determined in order to prove the allocated structures and to substantiate conformations of the synthesized isatin–hydrazonothiazolines. The related crystallographic data and refinement details of 6e and 6i have been reported somewhere else.36,37
Compound | R | R1 | Microbial species | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C. albicans | A. flavus | M. canis | F. solani | C. glabrata | |||
a Concentration used 200 μg mL−1.b Standard drugs (MIC in μg mL−1): A = miconazole (110.8 μg mL−1); B = amphotericin B (20 μg mL−1); C = miconazole (98.4 μg mL−1); D = miconazole (73.25 μg mL−1); E = miconazole (110.8 μg mL−1); 00: absence of measurable inhibitory action. | |||||||
5a | OCF3 | 2-CH3 | 00 | 00 | 20 | 00 | 00 |
5b | OCF3 | 3-CH3 | 00 | 00 | 20 | 25 | 00 |
5d | OCF3 | 2-OCH3 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 10 | 00 |
5e | OCF3 | 3-OCH3 | 00 | 00 | 20 | 00 | 00 |
5f | OCF3 | 4-OCH3 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 10 | 00 |
5h | OCF3 | 3-F | 00 | 00 | 25 | 00 | 00 |
5i | OCF3 | 4-F | 00 | 00 | 00 | 30 | 00 |
5j | OCF3 | 2,4-(Cl)2 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 25 | 00 |
5m | OCF3 | 3,4-(Cl)2 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 10 | 00 |
6a | F | 2-CH3 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 25 | 00 |
6b | F | 3-CH3 | 00 | 00 | 20 | 00 | 00 |
6d | F | 2-OCH3 | 00 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 00 |
6j | F | 2,4-(F)2 | 00 | 00 | 10 | 00 | 00 |
6l | F | 2,4-(Cl)2 | 00 | 20 | 30 | 00 | 00 |
6m | F | 2,5-(Cl)2 | 00 | 00 | 10 | 00 | 00 |
6n | F | 2,6-(Cl)2 | 00 | 00 | 30 | 00 | 00 |
6o | F | 2,4,6-(Cl)3 | 00 | 10 | 20 | 25 | 00 |
7a | Cl | 2-CH3 | 00 | 00 | 20 | 00 | 00 |
7b | Cl | 3-CH3 | 00 | 00 | 20 | 00 | 00 |
7d | Cl | 2-OCH3 | 00 | 20 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
7e | Cl | 3-OCH3 | 00 | 00 | 20 | 00 | 00 |
7f | Cl | 4-OCH3 | 00 | 00 | 25 | 00 | 00 |
7g | Cl | 2-F | 00 | 00 | 25 | 00 | 00 |
7h | Cl | 3-F | 00 | 00 | 20 | 00 | 00 |
7i | Cl | 4-F | 00 | 00 | 25 | 00 | 00 |
7j | Cl | 2,4-(F)2 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 20 | 00 |
Standard Drugb | A | B | C | D | E |
Compound | R | R1 | IC50 ± SEM (μM) | Compound | R | R1 | IC50 ± SEM (μM) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
a Reference inhibitor of urease enzyme. | |||||||
5a | OCF3 | 2-CH3 | 336 ± 5.45 | 6g | F | 2-F | 26.1 ± 1.11 |
5b | OCF3 | 3-CH3 | 427 ± 2.89 | 6h | F | 3-F | 32.6 ± 3.42 |
5c | OCF3 | 4-CH3 | 10.3 ± 0.51 | 6i | F | 4-F | 8.20 ± 0.01 |
5d | OCF3 | 2-OCH3 | 42.9 ± 4.67 | 6j | F | 2,4-(F)2 | 66.6 ± 5.40 |
5e | OCF3 | 3-OCH3 | 42.6 ± 1.40 | 6k | F | 2,6-(F)2 | 11.0 ± 0.86 |
5f | OCF3 | 4-OCH3 | 102 ± 5.82 | 6l | F | 2,4-(Cl)2 | 8.40 ± 0.23 |
5g | OCF3 | 2-F | 7.27 ± 0.33 | 6m | F | 2,5-(Cl)2 | 33.1 ± 2.88 |
5h | OCF3 | 3-F | 12.0 ± 0.83 | 6n | F | 2,6-(Cl)2 | 12.7 ± 0.62 |
5i | OCF3 | 4-F | 11.7 ± 0.07 | 6o | F | 2,4,6-(Cl)3 | 14.3 ± 0.12 |
5j | OCF3 | 2,4-(Cl)2 | 44.5 ± 3.15 | 7a | Cl | 2-CH3 | 9.20 ± 0.77 |
5k | OCF3 | 2,5-(Cl)2 | 3.70 ± 0.62 | 7b | Cl | 3-CH3 | 24.6 ± 2.14 |
5l | OCF3 | 2,6-(Cl)2 | 129 ± 5.91 | 7c | Cl | 4-CH3 | 25.3 ± 3.20 |
5m | OCF3 | 3,4-(Cl)2 | 134 ± 2.21 | 7d | Cl | 2-OCH3 | 38.6 ± 1.50 |
5n | OCF3 | 2,4,6-(Cl)3 | 14.1 ± 1.31 | 7e | Cl | 3-OCH3 | 10.3 ± 0.38 |
6a | F | 2-CH3 | 275 ± 4.99 | 7f | Cl | 4-OCH3 | 81.3 ± 7.99 |
6b | F | 3-CH3 | 15.0 ± 1.92 | 7g | Cl | 2-F | 25.6 ± 2.91 |
6c | F | 4-CH3 | 11.4 ± 1.51 | 7h | Cl | 3-F | 32.0 ± 0.69 |
6d | F | 2-OCH3 | 40.1 ± 5.32 | 7i | Cl | 4-F | 11.3 ± 0.32 |
6e | F | 3-OCH3 | 29.3 ± 1.17 | 7j | Cl | 2,4-(F)2 | 20.9 ± 0.57 |
6f | F | 4-OCH3 | 849 ± 2.26 | Thioureaa | 22.3 ± 1.12 |
The structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies in the case of 5-trifluoromethoxyisatin derivatives 5a–n revealed that compound 5k having chloro substituents at positions-2 and -5 of the phenyl ring attached to N atom of the thiazoline moiety was the most potent urease inhibitor of the series, demonstrating several fold more activity (IC50 = 3.70 ± 0.62 μM) than the reference inhibitor, thiourea (IC50 = 22.3 ± 1.12 μM). Comparison of the urease inhibitory potential of compound 5k with that of closely related dichloro-substituted compounds 5j, 5l and 5m indicated that chloro substitution at positions-2,5 (ortho, meta) of the phenyl ring was more favourable than at positions-2,4 (ortho, para), -2,6 (ortho, ortho) and -3,4 (meta, para), respectively. The dichloro-substituted derivatives 5j, 5l and 5m displayed relatively much lower activity (IC50 = 44.5 ± 3.15, 129 ± 5.91 and 134 ± 2.21 μM, respectively) in the present assay. This clearly showed that compound 5k compared to 5j, 5l and 5m interfered with the enzyme in a different fashion. Interestingly, the only trichloro-substituted compound tested in this assay i.e. 5n bearing the substituents at positions-2,4,6 (ortho, para, ortho) of the phenyl ring demonstrated much higher activity in contrast to the dichloro-substituted compounds 5j and 5l with the substituents at positions-2,4 (ortho, para) and -2,6 (ortho, ortho) of the phenyl ring, respectively (IC50 value 14.1 ± 1.31 vs. 44.5 ± 3.15 and 129 ± 5.91 μM). Chlorine is both electron-donating by mesomeric effect (+M) and electron-withdrawing by inductive effect (−I). Much higher enzyme inhibitory activity presented by compound 5n in the present assay clearly indicated that the ultimate or overall electron-withdrawing effect of the three chloro functions increased its inhibitory potential, though not exclusively. The next most potent urease inhibitor was compound 5g having a fluoro group at position-2 of the phenyl ring, showing inhibitory activity with IC50 value of 7.27 ± 0.33 μM. This compound was found to be three fold more active than the reference inhibitor, thiourea, but two fold less active than the most potent urease inhibitor 5k. The other highly active monofluoro-substituted derivatives 5h and 5i, possessing the substituent at positions-3 and -4 of the phenyl ring exhibited enzymatic inhibition with IC50 values of 12.0 ± 0.83 and 11.7 ± 0.07 μM, respectively. This clearly indicated that compound 5g in comparison to 5h and 5i meddled with the enzyme differently and more competently. The remaining relatively very much potent urease inhibitor was compound 5c with a methyl substituent at position-4 of the phenyl ring attached to N atom of the thiazoline moiety. This compound was found to be two fold more active than the reference inhibitor (thiourea) but three times less active than the most potent urease inhibitor of the series i.e. compound 5k (IC50 value 10.3 ± 0.51 vs. 22.3 ± 1.12 and 3.70 ± 0.62 μM, respectively). The other methyl-substituted compounds 5a and 5b bearing the substituent at positions-2 and -3 of the phenyl ring displayed relatively much lower inhibitory activity (IC50 values 336 ± 5.45 and 427 ± 2.89 μM, respectively). These results showed that steric hindrance played a significant role in reducing the inhibitory potential of the compounds.
Among 5-fluoroisatin derivatives 6a–o, compounds 6i and 6l having fluoro and chloro substituents at positions-4 (para) and -2,4 (ortho, para) of the phenyl ring attached to N atom of the thiazoline moieties were the most potent urease inhibitors of the series, presenting excellent and almost the same inhibitory activity (IC50 values 8.20 ± 0.01 and 8.40 ± 0.23 μM, respectively). Comparison of the urease inhibitory potential of compound 6i with that of closely related fluoro-substituted derivatives 6g and 6h showed that fluoro substitution at position-4 of the phenyl ring was more favourable than at positions-2 and -3. The fluoro-substituted compounds 6g and 6h exhibited relatively much lower activity (IC50 values 26.1 ± 1.11 and 32.6 ± 3.42 μM, respectively) in the present assay. Also, comparison of the antiurease potential of compound 6l with that of 6m and 6n indicated that chloro substitution at positions-2,4 (ortho, para) was more favourable than at -2,5 (ortho, meta) and -2,6 (ortho, ortho). The dichloro-substituted derivative 6n compared to 6l displayed lower but still exciting activity (IC50 value 12.7 ± 0.62 vs. 8.40 ± 0.23 μM), while 6m demonstrated relatively much lower activity with IC50 value of 33.1 ± 2.88 μM. Similarly, the trichloro-substituted compound 6o having the chloro substituents at positions-2,4,6 (ortho, para, ortho) of the phenyl ring exhibited lower but still stimulating inhibitory activity (IC50 = 14.3 ± 0.12 μM) in comparison to the corresponding dichloro-substituted compounds 6l and 6n, showing enzyme inhibition with IC50 values of 8.40 ± 0.23 and 12.7 ± 0.62 μM, respectively. In case of difluoro-substituted compounds tested in this assay, compound 6k bearing the fluoro substituents at positions-2,6 (ortho, ortho) of the phenyl ring was found to show much higher inhibitory potential compared to compound 6j having the substituents at positions-2,4 (ortho, para) (IC50 value 11.0 ± 0.86 vs. 66.6 ± 5.40 μM). This indicated that compound 6k in contrast to 6j intermingled with the enzyme in a different manner, resulting into much marked enhancement in enzyme inhibitory potential. Amongst methyl-substituted compounds 6a–6c, compound 6c possessing the substituent at positions-4 of the phenyl ring was found to be the most active one, displaying enzyme inhibition with IC50 value of 11.4 ± 1.51 μM. The next most active derivative was 6b with the substituent at position-3 of the ring, which showed inhibitory potential with IC50 value of 15.0 ± 1.92 μM. The remainder derivative 6a having the substituent at position-2 of the phenyl ring exhibited much lower inhibitory activity with IC50 value of 275 ± 4.99 μM. This indicated that in case of 6a, steric hindrance played a pivotal role in decreasing the inhibitory potential of the compound. The above results demonstrated that compounds 6g and 6h in contrast to 6i, and 6m in comparison to 6l, 6n and 6o, interacted with the enzyme differently, resulting into reduction in the inhibitory potential to a smaller or greater extent.
The results given in the table revealed that compared to compounds 5a–n having trifluoromethoxy substituent at position-5 of the isatin part, substitution of fluoro group at the same position in the case of 6a–o caused either a decrement or an increment in the enzymatic activity in certain cases. For example, compound 6c having a methyl substituent at position-4 of the phenyl ring attached to N atom of the thiazoline moiety showed inhibition of the enzyme with IC50 value of 11.4 ± 1.51 μM, whereas the respective compound 5c bearing trifluoromethoxy function at position-5 of the isatin moiety displayed more inhibitory activity (IC50 = 10.3 ± 0.51 μM). Similarly, compounds 6f–h possessing methoxy and fluoro substituents at positions-4 and -2, -3 of the phenyl ring, respectively, were found to demonstrate reduced activity (IC50 values 849 ± 2.26, 26.1 ± 1.11 and 32.6 ± 3.42 μM) in comparison to the corresponding 5-trifluoromethoxyisatin derivatives 5f–h, which exhibited inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 102 ± 5.82, 7.27 ± 0.33 and 12.0 ± 0.83 μM, respectively. Also, compound 6m possessing chloro functions at positions-2 and -5 of the phenyl ring was found to show decreased activity (IC50 = 33.1 ± 2.88 μM) when compared with the respective compound 5k having trifluoromethoxy substituent at position-5 of the isatin moiety, which displayed enzyme inhibition with IC50 value 3.70 ± 0.62 μM. Much marked decrement in enzyme inhibitory activity was found to occur in case of compounds 6g, 6h and 6m, respectively, when compared with the corresponding 5-trifuoromethoxyisatin-derived hydrazonothiazolines 5g, 5h and 5k (IC50 values 7.27 ± 0.33 → 26.1 ± 1.11 μM, 12.0 ± 0.83 → 32.6 ± 3.42 μM and 3.70 ± 0.62 → 33.1 ± 2.88 μM, respectively). On the contrary, compounds 6a and 6b bearing methyl function at positions-2 and -3 of the phenyl ring, respectively, displayed increased inhibitory activity (IC50 values 275 ± 4.99 and 15.0 ± 1.92 μM, respectively) in contrast to the respective compounds 5a and 5b, showing enzyme inhibition with IC50 values of 336 ± 5.45 and 427 ± 2.89 μM. Similarly, compounds 6d and 6e having methoxy substituent at positions-2 and -3 of the phenyl ring displayed increased enzyme inhibition with IC50 values 40.1 ± 5.32 and 29.3 ± 1.17 μM, respectively, when compared with the corresponding compounds 5d and 5e bearing trifluoromethoxy group at position-5 of the isatin scaffold, demonstrating inhibition of the enzyme with IC50 values of 42.9 ± 4.67 and 42.6 ± 1.40 μM. Furthermore, the monofluoro-substituted derivative 6i possessing the substituent at position-4 of the phenyl ring showed enhanced enzyme inhibition with IC50 value of 8.20 ± 0.01 μM in comparison to the corresponding 5-trifluoromethoxyisatin-derived hydrazonothiazoline 5i, which displayed inhibitory activity with IC50 value of 11.7 ± 0.07 μM. Also, the dichloro-substituted compounds 6l and 6n having the substituents at positions-2,4 (ortho, para) and -2,6 (ortho, ortho) exhibited enhanced enzyme inhibition (IC50 values 8.40 ± 0.23 and 12.7 ± 0.62 μM, respectively) in contrast to the respective compounds 5j and 5l bearing trifluoromethoxy residue at position-5 of the isatin moiety, demonstrating inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 44.5 ± 3.15 and 129 ± 5.91 μM. Relatively, marked increment in enzyme inhibitory activity (IC50 values 427 ± 2.89 → 15.0 ± 1.92 μM, 44.5 ± 3.15 → 8.40 ± 0.23 μM and 129 ± 5.91 → 12.7 ± 0.62 μM, respectively) occurred in case of compounds 6b, 6l and 6n. Among the remaining compounds of the series i.e. 6j and 6k, compound 6j having fluoro substituents at positions-2 and -4 of the phenyl ring exhibited inhibitory activity with IC50 value of 66.6 ± 5.40 μM. In contrast, 6k possessing the same substituents at positions-2 and -6 of the phenyl ring showed much enhanced activity (IC50 = 11.0 ± 0.86 μM). These results showed that the presence of fluoro group (exercising both −ve inductive and +ve mesomeric effects) at position-5 of the isatin scaffold as well as the nature, number and position of different functions present in the phenyl ring caused the molecules to meddle with the enzyme in a different fashion.
In case of 5-chloroisatin-derived hydrazonothiazolines 7a–j, 7a bearing methyl group at position-2 of the phenyl ring attached to N atom of the thiazoline moiety was found to be the most potent antiurease compound, showing enzymatic activity (IC50 = 9.20 ± 0.77 μM) much higher than the reference inhibitor, thiourea (IC50 = 22.3 ± 1.12 μM). Comparison of the antiurease activity of compound 7a with that of closely related methyl-substituted compounds 7b and 7c having the substituent at positions-3 and -4 of the phenyl ring, respectively, revealed that methyl substitution at position-2 of the phenyl ring was more favourable than at -3 and -4. Compound 7b was found to be >two fold less active than 7a but slightly more active than 7c (IC50 value 24.6 ± 2.14 vs. 9.20 ± 0.77 and 25.3 ± 3.20 μM, respectively). This showed that compounds 7b and 7c compared to 7a interfered with the enzyme much less efficiently, resulting in a decrement in their inhibitory potential. The next most potent antiurease compound was 7e possessing methoxy substituent at position-3 of the phenyl ring. This compound exhibited slightly less inhibitory activity (IC50 = 10.3 ± 0.38 μM) than the most potent inhibitor 7a (IC50 = 9.20 ± 0.77 μM) but much more than the reference inhibitor, thiourea (IC50 = 22.3 ± 1.12 μM). The other potent methoxy-substituted compounds 7d and 7f having the substituent at position-2 and -4 of the phenyl ring attached to N atom of the thiazoline moiety, however, displayed relatively much lower activity with IC50 values of 38.6 ± 1.50 μM and 81.3 ± 7.99 μM, respectively. This clearly demonstrated that compound 7e intermingled with the enzyme differently and much more competently. The remaining relatively much more potent urease inhibitor was compound 7i bearing a fluoro substituent at position-4 of the phenyl ring. This compound was found to be slightly less active than the most potent urease inhibitor of the series i.e. compound 7a but two fold more active than the reference inhibitor, thiourea (IC50 value 11.3 ± 0.32 vs. 9.20 ± 0.77 and 22.3 ± 1.12 μM, respectively). The other fluoro-substituted compound 7g possessing the substituent at position-2 of the phenyl ring showed inhibitory activity with IC50 value of 25.6 ± 2.91 μM. On the contrary, compound 7h with the fluoro substituent at position-3 of the phenyl ring displayed reduced enzymatic activity with IC50 value of 32.0 ± 0.69 μM. Finally, the only difluoro-substituted compound tested in the present assay i.e. 7j having fluoro substituents at positions-2,4 (ortho, para) of the phenyl ring, though found to be markedly less active than the monofluoro-substituted compound 7i (20.9 ± 0.57 vs. 11.3 ± 0.32 μM), but was still more active than the monofluoro-substituted compound 7g (IC50 = 25.6 ± 2.91 μM) as well as the reference inhibitor, thiourea (IC50 = 22.3 ± 1.12 μM). Fluorine is both strongly electron-attracting by inductive effect (−I) and electron-donating by mesomeric effect (+M). Noticeably higher inhibitory activity shown by compounds 7g, 7i and 7j compared to 7h in the present assay is attributed, though not exclusively, to the overall or ultimate electron-donating influences of the fluoro functions present at position-2 (ortho) and -4 (para) of the phenyl ring attached to N atom of the thiazoline moiety.
The results given in the table further revealed that compared with the 5-fluoroisatin-derived thiazolines 6a–o, thiazolines of this series exhibited either increased or decreased enzyme inhibition in certain cases. For example, compound 7a possessing a methyl group at position-2 of the phenyl ring attached to N atom of the thiazoline moiety showed inhibitory activity with IC50 value 9.20 ± 0.77 μM, whereas the respective compound 6a displayed enzymatic inhibition with IC50 value of 275 ± 4.99 μM. Similarly, compounds 7d–f bearing methoxy functions at position-2, -3 and -4 of the phenyl ring, respectively, showed enhanced activity (IC50 values 38.6 ± 1.50, 10.3 ± 0.38 and 81.3 ± 7.99 μM) compared to the corresponding compounds 6d–f, demonstrating enzyme inhibition with IC50 values of 40.1 ± 5.32, 29.3 ± 1.17 and 849 ± 2.26 μM, respectively. Also, the monofluoro-substituted compounds 7g and 7h having the substituent at position-2 and -3 of the phenyl ring, respectively, displayed enhanced activity (IC50 values 25.6 ± 2.91 and 32.0 ± 0.69 μM) in comparison to the respective compounds 6g and 6h, exhibiting enzyme inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 26.1 ± 1.11 and 32.6 ± 3.42 μM, respectively. Furthermore, the difluoro-substituted compound 7j with the substituents at positions-2 and -4 of the phenyl ring showed increased activity (IC50 = 20.9 ± 0.57 μM) in contrast to the corresponding compound 6j, displaying inhibition of the enzyme with IC50 value of 66.6 ± 5.40 μM. Marked increment was found to occur in case of compounds 7a, 7e, 7f and 7j. To the contrary, compounds 7b and 7c possessing the methyl substituent at position-3 and -4 of the phenyl ring, respectively, exhibited decreased enzyme inhibitory activity (IC50 values 24.6 ± 2.14 and 25.3 ± 3.20 μM) compared to the corresponding compounds 6b and 6c, showing activity with IC50 values of 15.0 ± 1.92 and 11.4 ± 1.51 μM. Also, compound 7i bearing the fluoro function at position-4 of the phenyl ring showed reduced inhibitory activity (IC50 value 11.3 ± 0.32 μM) in contrast to the respective compound 6i, exhibiting enzyme inhibition with IC50 value of 8.20 ± 0.01 μM. Relatively, pronounced reduction in the enzymatic activity was observed in the case of 7c.
The above results showed that the simultaneous presence of varied inductively electron-withdrawing groups at position-5 of the isatin scaffold and the variously substituted aryl functions at N atom of the thiazoline moiety caused the isatin–thiazoline hybrids to meddle with the enzyme differently and sometimes relatively much more competently.
Overall, the structures of the compounds are too large to be accommodated in the active pocket of the enzyme; therefore, some part lies within the bottom, while the rest interacts with the mid gorge area. The putative binding modes of the most active compounds among the three series i.e. 5a–n, 6a–o and 7a–j are given below:
The different compounds are characterized as under:
Footnote |
† Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c6ra10043k |
This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2016 |