Synthesis and hypoglycemic and anti-inflammatory activity screening of novel substituted 5-[morpholino(Phenyl)methyl]-thiazolidine-2,4-diones and their molecular docking studies

Abstract

Objectives: The aim was the synthesis of novel substituted 5-[morpholino(phenyl)methyl]-thiazolidine-2,4-diones and screening for their in vivo hypoglycemic activity and in vitro anti-inflammatory activity, as well as molecular docking studies to find out active potential lead molecules. Materials and Methods: Substituted aromatic aldehydes, thiazolidine-2,4-dione, and morpholine on Mannich reaction gave the title compounds. They were characterized by physical and spectral methods. In vivo hypoglycemic activity was examined in alloxan induced Wistar albino rats by tail tipping method. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity was tested by human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization and protein denaturation. Using AutoDock, molecular docking studies were carried out to find out the best fit ligands. Results: Series of substituted 5-[morpholino(phenyl)methyl]-thiazolidine-2,4-diones were synthesized and chemically they were confirmed by spectral techniques. Acute toxic studies of in vivo hypoglycemic activity results revealed that compounds 4c, 4h, and 4n exhibited good activity at 35 mg/kg body weight. Chronic toxic study results indicated that compounds 4h and 4n exhibited good activity at 70 mg/kg body weight. Anti-inflammatory activity results indicated the highest inhibition was shown by compounds 4k and 4f at 500 µg/mL in HRBC membrane stabilization. In protein denaturation, the highest inhibition was shown by compound 4k at 500 µg/mL. In molecular docking studies, compounds 4h and 4n exhibited higher binding affinity at PPARγ receptor protein and compound 4k exhibited higher binding affinity at COX-1 and COX-2 actives sites. Conclusion: Microwave irradiation produced high yield in short reaction times. The presence of electron releasing groups at the para position of the phenyl ring may give the ability to produce hypoglycemic activity and the presence of electron withdrawing groups at the para position of the phenyl ring causes anti-inflammatory activity. The results showed that some compounds exhibited good hypoglycemic and anti-inflammatory activities. Compounds 4h and 4n exhibited higher binding affinity at PPARγ receptor protein and compound 4k exhibited higher binding affinity at COX isoenzymes’ active sites in molecular docking studies. Key words: Thiazolidinediones bearing morpholine, Mannich reaction, in vivo hypoglycemic activity, in vitro anti-inflammatory activity, docking studies.