title: Microwave-assisted synthesis and bioevaluation of some semicarbazones.
abstract: In continuation to our efforts in finding potential therapeutic agents, a variety of biologically significant semicarbazones were synthesized by the reaction of different carbonyl compounds with phenyl semicarbazides through microwave irradiation. Initially, 18 semicarbazones were studied for their antimicrobial, antitumor, and antioxidant potential. None of the tested compounds showed any antibacterial activity; however, some compounds showed significant antifungal activity. Interestingly, all compounds showed antitumor activity when tested against tumors grown on potato discs. These compounds were also tested for their effect on OH radical-induced oxidative DNA damage. All the compounds showed DNA protection to varying extent. Based on the promising results of antitumor and antioxidant activities, another set of 24 semicarbazones was synthesized, and all of these semicarbazones were evaluated for their antioxidant potential. The results showed that the semicarbazones derived from 2-nitrobenzaldehyde and acetophenone were the most active 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl 9 (DPPH) free radical scavengers. The overall results have led to the identification of some interesting compounds which seem to have great potential to be developed into effective anticancer drugs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Qauid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Laila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jafri
authors.forename: Farzana L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Ansari
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jamil
authors.forename: Saima
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kalsoom
authors.forename: Sana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Qureishi
authors.forename: Bushra
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mirza
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008872:Microwaves; D012663:Semicarbazides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D012663:Semicarbazides