Synthesis, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity of bis(indolyl)methanes

A series of bioactive bis(indolyl)methanes are synthesized by one-pot green reaction of indole with various substituted aldehydes by microwave irradiation under solvent free conditions. The antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and anti-inflammatory activity of the synthesized bis(indolyl)methanes are evaluated in vitro and compared to standard drugs tetracycline and diclofenac, respectively. The majority of the compounds showed good antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity. Interestingly, compounds 3j, 3i, 3k and 3g exhibited much higher anti-inflammatory activity than the standard diclofenac drug and thus qualify for clinical trials to be used as an anti-inflammatory compound. (C) 2015 Chinese Chemical Society and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.