Synthesis, antioxidant and DNA cleavage activities of novel indole derivatives

A new series of novel indole derivatives containing barbitone moiety (5a-i) are synthesized by simple and efficient condensation of chalcones (3a-i) with barbituric acid (4). The synthesized compounds are screened for their antioxidant (free radical scavenging, total antioxidant capacity and ferric reducing antioxidant power) and DNA cleavage activities were evaluated. Among the synthesized compounds (5a), (5d) and (5g) exhibited excellent antioxidant activity and all the tested compounds in the series have exhibited promising DNA cleavage activities. The structures of the synthesized compounds are assigned on the basis of elemental analysis, IR, H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR and mass spectral data. (C) 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.