Design, synthesis and in-silico & in vitro enzymatic inhibition assays of pyrazole-chalcone derivatives as dual inhibitors of α-amylase & DPP-4 enzyme

Abstract

A series of pyrazole-chalcone derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro α-amylase & DPP-4 inhibitory activity. The structure of the compounds thus prepared was confirmed by analytical, and spectral techniques, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and Mass spectroscopy. To preliminarily investigate the molecular targets and to confirm the experimental activity testing for these anti-diabetic compounds, the molecular docking studies were determined, using different target receptors i.e., DPP-4 (PDB: 2OLE), PPARγ (PDB: 5Y2O) & α-amylase enzyme (PDB: 5E0F). The docking study results revealed that pyrazole-chalcone derivatives exhibited better binding interaction to α-amylase enzyme over the DPP-4 enzyme & PPARγ. Depending on in silico experiments the designed compounds were selectively prioritized for synthesis. The synthesized compounds were subjected to enzyme-based in vitro α-amylase, DPP-4 inhibitory, and antioxidant activity. ADMET parameters like HBD, HBA, PSA, cLogP, molecular weight, bioavailability, and drug-likeness further confirmed that the compounds are potential lead compounds for future study. Compounds 4d and 6a exhibited highest activity toward α-amylase enzyme and DPP-4 enzyme. © 2021, Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences.