Synthesis, characterisation, biological evaluation and <i>in silico</i> studies of sulphonamide Schiff bases

Abstract

Sulphonamides are biologically important compounds with low toxicity, many bioactivities and cost-effectiveness. Eight sulphonamide derivatives were synthesised and characterised by FT-IR, ¹³C NMR, ¹H NMR, LC-MS and elemental analysis. Their inhibitory effect on AChE, and carbonic anhydrase I and II enzyme activities was investigated. Their antioxidant activity was determined using different bioanalytical assays such as radical scavenging tests with ABTS^•+, and DPPH^•+ as well as metal-reducing abilities with CUPRAC, and FRAP assays. All compounds showed satisfactory enzyme inhibitory potency in nanomolar concentrations against AChE and CA isoforms with <i>K</i>_I values ranging from 10.14 ± 0.03 to 100.58 ± 1.90 nM. Amine group containing derivatives showed high metal reduction activity and about 70% ABTS radical scavenging activity. Due to their antioxidant activity and AChE inhibition, these novel compounds may be considered as leads for investigations in neurodegenerative diseases.