Unsymmetrical thiourea derivatives: synthesis and evaluation as promising antioxidant and enzyme inhibitors

Future Med Chem. 2024 Mar;16(6):497-511. doi: 10.4155/fmc-2023-0213. Epub 2024 Feb 19.

Abstract

Background: Unsymmetrical thioureas 1-20 were synthesized and then characterized by various spectroscopy techniques such as UV, IR, fast atom bombardment (FAB)-MS, high-resolution FAB-MS, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR. Methods: Synthetic compounds 1-20 were tested for their ability for antioxidant, lipoxygenase and xanthine oxidase activities. Results: Compounds 1, 2, 9, 12 and 15 exhibited strong antioxidant potential, whereas compounds 1-3, 9, 12, 15 and 19 showed good to moderate lipoxygenase activity. Ten compounds demonstrated moderate xanthine oxidase inhibition. Conclusion: Compound 15 displayed the highest potency among the series, exhibiting good antioxidant, lipoxygenase and xanthine oxidase activities. Theoretical calculations using density functional theory and molecular docking studies supported the experimental findings, indicating the potential of the synthesized compounds as potent antioxidants, lipoxygenases and xanthine oxidase agents.

Keywords: antioxidant; lipoxygenase; unsymmetrical thiourea; xanthine oxidase.

MeSH terms

  • Antioxidants* / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Lipoxygenase*
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Thiourea / chemistry
  • Thiourea / pharmacology
  • Xanthine Oxidase / chemistry
  • Xanthine Oxidase / metabolism

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Lipoxygenase
  • Xanthine Oxidase
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Thiourea