Chalcones and Bis-Chalcones Analogs as DPPH and ABTS Radical Scavengers

Background: A number of synthetic scaffolds, along with natural products, have been identified as potent antioxidants. The present study deals with the evaluation of varyingly substituted, medicinally distinct class of compounds “chalcones and bis-chalcones” for their antioxidant potential. Methods: In vitro radical scavenging activities were performed on a series of synthetic chalcones 1- 13 and bis-chalcones 14-18. Results: All molecules 1-18 revealed a pronounced 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2´- azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radicals scavenging potential in the ranges of IC50s = 0.58 ± 0.14 - 1.72 ± 0.03 and 0.49 ± 0.3 - 1.48 ± 0.06 μM, respectively. Ascorbic acid (IC50s = 0.5 ± 0.1 and 0.46 ± 0.17 μM for DPPH and ABTS, respectively) was used as a standard radical scavenger. Conclusion: Structure-activity relationship (SAR) revealed an active participation of various groups, including -SMe and -OMe in scavenging activity.