Synthesis, Characterization and Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Novel Isatin Derivatives

Abstract

The pursuit of multifunctional therapeutic agents remains crucial in combating oxidative stress and microbial resistance. In this study, we synthesized and characterized a diverse series of novel isatin-based derivatives (12a–z), exploring their antioxidant and antimicrobial potential. Notably, compound 12c demonstrated remarkable antioxidant efficacy among all isatin-based derivatives, with an IC₅₀ value of 9.79 ± 0.168 µg/mL in the DPPH radical scavenging assay, positioning it as a potent radical scavenger comparable to the standard (ascorbic acid). Furthermore, antimicrobial screening identified compounds 12a and 12b as standout candidates, showcasing strong antibacterial and antifungal properties through disc-diffusion and broth dilution methods. These promising bioactivities underscore the potential of 12a, 12b and 12c as therapeutic agents, meriting further investigation for their application in oxidative stress-related conditions and infectious disease management. This study lays the groundwork for future development of isatin derivatives as pharmacologically relevant molecules in both antioxidant and antimicrobial domains.