Abstract
Background: The role of small molecules as antioxidants to prevent the oxidation of other molecules and inhibit them from radical formation is the area of much interest to cure disease especially cancer. Moreover, the antioxidants play important role as stabilizers to prevent oxidation of fuels and lubricants.
Methods: In the present study, fifteen tetrakis-Schiff s bases derivatives (1-15) were synthesized and screened for their antioxidant activities. Compounds 1-15 were synthesized by continuous stirring of reaction mixture of 1,4-bis (hydrazonomethyl)benzene (1 mmol) with various substituted aromatic aldehydes (2 mmol) in distilled water using acetic acid as catalyst at room temperature for 2-10 min.
Results: Our present study showed that all compounds are better ferrous ion-chelating agents except compound 1,4-bisqE)-((E)-(3,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)hydrazunOmethylpenzene (6) (IC50 = 329.26 +/- 4.75 mu M) which has slightly low activity than the standard EDTA (IC50 = 318.40 +/- 5.53 mu M). In addition, DPPH radical scavenging activity of eleven compounds showed higher activity than the standard. However, remaining four compounds showed comparable radical scavenging activity to the standard DPPH (IC50 = 257.77 +/- 4.60 mu M).
Conclusion: The series of fifteen Schiff's bases (1-15) were synthesized and evaluated as antioxidants. From both assays, it has been demonstrated that most of the tetrakis-Schiff s bases have potential to serve as leads for the development of antioxidant agents for future research.