New chalcone derivatives as potential antimicrobial and antioxidant agent

Seven chalcone derivatives were synthesized by the Claisen-Schmidt condensation. The structures of the compounds were confirmed by spectral data (Ultraviolet/visible, infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy). The compounds were tested for their in silico and in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. The molecular docking assessments showed that all the compounds exhibited good binding affinity with the target microorganism proteins but, compounds 6e and 6g showed better binding affinity compared with the standards. The antimicrobial test revealed that all the compounds screened were active against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis and had minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) between 0.4 and 0.6 mg/mL. Compounds 6a, 6c and 6d had moderate activities on Salmonella typhi. Compounds 6b and 6c had moderate activity on Escherichia coli. Compound 6c had moderate activity on Aspergillus niger while compounds 6a and 6e had poor activity. All the compounds except compound 6e had no inhibition against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The in-vitro antioxidant activity was assessed using ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) as the standard. Compounds 6c, 6e and 6g gave excellent inhibitory activity better than the standard. Compound 6a gave good activity at 500 mu g/mL and 1000 mu g/mL concentrations but, below the standard at 250 mu g/mL and no inhibition at 125 mu g/mL. Compound 6d had good inhibition at 500 mu g/mL and 1000 mu g/mL but, no inhibition at 125 mu g/mL and 250 mu g/mL. Compound 6b was found to be inactive in all the concentrations. Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion properties of the compounds were assessed using SwissADME. The results of lead likeness showed that compound 6e is a lead-like molecule.

Automated summary

Seven chalcone derivatives were synthesized and characterized using various spectral data, with compounds 6e and 6g showing better binding affinity and antimicrobial activities. The compounds exhibited moderate to good activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, and Aspergillus niger, with compound 6c showing the strongest antioxidant activity. Absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion properties of the compounds were evaluated using SwissADME, with compound 6e identified as a lead-like molecule based on lead likeness assessments.