Abstract
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A series of benzimidazole based thiadiazole and carbohydrazide conjugates have been synthesized and evaluated for inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3β and anti-depressant effect. Compounds 4f, 4j, 5b, 5g and 5i were found to be the most potent inhibitors of GSK-3β in vitro amongst the twenty-five benzimidazole based thiadiazole and carbohydrazide conjugates synthesized. Compound 5i was also found to exhibit significant antidepressant activity in vivo at 50mg/kg, when compared to fluoxetine, a known antidepressant drug. The molecular docking studies revealed multiple hydrogen bond interactions by the synthesized compounds with various amino acid residues, viz, ASP-133, LYS-183, PRO-136, VAL-135, TYR-134, or LYS-60 at the GSK-3β receptor site.