Synthesis and Molecular Drug Efficacy of Indoline‐based Dihydroxy‐thiocarbamides: Inflammation Regulatory Property Unveiled over COX‐2 Inhibition, Molecular Docking, and Cytotoxicity Prospects

Abstract

In this study, substituted indoline‐based dihydroxy‐carbamides (5a–i) were synthesized and evaluated as the cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibitors to testify their inflammatory regulations through COX‐2 inhibition. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay‐based competitive (COX‐2) inhibition (in vitro) followed by a molecular docking study (in silico) was executed to ensure the mode of interaction between 5a–i and COX‐2. Apart from COX‐2 inhibition studies, free‐radical scavenging ability (H2O2 estimation method) and the human red blood cell membrane protection (in vitro anti‐inflammatory) capability of the compounds 5a–i assessment were also evaluated. Excellent antimicrobial and anticancer activity exhibited by thiocarbamide substituted compounds (5a–d) than carbamide (5e–i). In molecular docking studies, the obtained binding affinity values of 5a–i indicated the therapeutic selectivity on COX‐2 (PDB ID: 1CX2) over COX‐1 (PDB ID: 1EQG). Established inhibitory constant (ki) values were found as low as in nanomolar/picomolar against COX‐2. Reliable COX‐2 inhibition of 78–92% and IC50 0.002–1.28 μM were obtained. Human red blood cell membrane was found to be effectively stabilized/protected by 5a–i up to 98%. Excellent antioxidant property (average radical scavenging 92%) and structure–activity relationship predictions confirmed the druggability potentials of 5a–i as effective, future anti‐inflammatory drugs. The cytotoxicity of the compounds was also unveiled by MTT assay using MCF‐7 (human breast cancer), SW620 (human colon cancer), G361 (human skin cancer), human breast normal cell lines (MCF‐10), and cell lines.