Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of some 2-phenyl-1H-indoles and benzimidazoles

Abstract

Heterocyclic compounds are known to exhibit a variety of biological activities because of their resemblance to a number of naturally occurring metabolites. Various 2-phenyl-1H-indoles and benzimidazole derivatives have been tested for total antioxidant capacity by phosphomolybednum reduction method and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazide free radical scavenging activity. The compounds with electron donating substituents were found to be better antioxidants with IIIa to be most effective. The best radical scavenger was IVb. Antimicrobial activity was screened in vitro against Pseudomonas sp., Enterobacter sp. (Gram-negative) and Bacillus sp. (Gram-positive). It was found that Gram-negative bacteria were more susceptible than Gram-positive bacteria. Indoles exhibited better antibacterial activity compared to benzimidazoles.