Synthesis, antifungal and antioxidant screening of some novel benzimidazole derivatives

New Pyrazolo-Benzimidazole Mannich Bases with Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activities

A new series of pyrazolo-benzimidazole hybrid Mannich bases were synthesized, characterized by ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, IR, UV-Vis, MS, and elemental analysis. In vitro cytotoxicity of the new compounds studied on fibroblast cells showed that the newly synthesized pyrazolo-benzimidazole hybrid derivatives were noncytotoxic until the concentration of 1 μM and two compounds presented a high degree of biocompatibility. The antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of the newly synthesized compounds was assayed on Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC29212, and Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC27853, Escherichia coli ATCC25922 strains. All synthesized compounds 5a–g are more active against all three tested bacterial strains Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC29212, and Escherichia coli ATCC25922 than reference drugs (Metronidazole, Nitrofurantoin), with the exception of compounds 5d and 5g, which are less active compared to Nitrofurantoin, and all synthesized compounds 5a–g are more active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC27853 compared to reference drugs (Metronidazole, Nitrofurantoin). Compound 5f showed the best activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, with a MIC of 150 μg/mL and has also inhibited the biofilm formed by all the bacterial strains, having an MBIC of 310 µg/mL compared to the reference drugs (Metronidazole, Nitrofurantoin).

Pyrimido[1,2-a]benzimidazoles: synthesis and perspective of their pharmacological use

The review presents data on the synthesis as well as studies of biological activity of new derivatives of pyrimido[1,2-a]benzimidazoles published over the last decade. The bibliography of the review includes 136 sources.

Design, synthesis and anticancer/antiestrogenic activities of novel indole-benzimidazoles

Indole-benzimidazoles have recently gained attention due to their antiproliferative and antiestrogenic effects. However, their structural similarities and molecular mechanisms shared with selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) have not yet been investigated. In this study, we synthesized novel ethylsulfonyl indole-benzimidazole derivatives by substituting the first (R₁) and fifth (R₂) positions of benzimidazole and indole groups, respectively. Subsequently, we performed ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and Mass spectral and in silico docking analyses, and anticancer activity screening studies of these novel indole-benzimidazoles. The antiproliferative effects of indole-benzimidazoles were found to be more similar between the estrogen (E2) responsive cell lines MCF-7 and HEPG2 in comparison to the Estrogen Receptor negative (ER-) cell line MDA-MB-231. R₁:p-fluorobenzyl group members were selected as lead compounds for their potent anticancer effects and moderate structural affinity to ER. Microarray expression profiling and gene enrichment analyses (GSEA) of the selected compounds (R₁:p-fluorobenzyl: 48, 49, 50, 51; R₁:3,4-difluorobenzyl: 53) helped determine the similarly modulated cellular signaling pathways among derivatives. Moreover, we identified known compounds that have significantly similar gene signatures to that of 51 via queries performed in LINCS database; and further transcriptomics comparisons were made using public GEO datasets (GSE35428, GSE7765, GSE62673). Our results strongly demonstrate that these novel indole-benzimidazoles can modulate ER target gene expression as well as dioxin-mediated aryl hydrocarbon receptor and amino acid deprivation-mediated integrated stress response signaling in a dose-dependent manner.

Design, synthesis and ADMET prediction of bis-benzimidazole as anticancer agent

A new series of bis-benzimidazole clubbed with primary amine (3i-iii) and aromatic aldehydes (4i-ix) were design and synthesize with an intention to search an anticancer lead compound under microwave irradiation in good yields. Further, the spectral characterization of synthetic compounds were done with modern instrumental techniques such as FTIR, NMR (¹H and ¹³C), MS and elemental analysis. Anticancer activities of synthesized compounds were investigated at National Cancer Institute (NCI) against NCI 60 cell line panel, results showed good to notable anticancer activity. With the help of molinspiration, drug like properties and bioactivity score for drug targets of synthetic compounds were predicted and found to obey the Lipinski's rule, result indicates that the derivatives are orally active molecules. Osiris property explorer was used for the prediction of drug relevant properties and toxicity of synthetic compounds. Pre ADMET and Lazar toxicity was also used to estimate ADME and toxicity of synthetic compounds. Two compounds, 4i [(Z)-2-((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl) methyl)-1-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)-3-(thiophen-2-yl) prop-2-en-1-one] and 4iii [(Z)-2-((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl) methyl)-1-(1H-benzo [d] imidazol-2-yl)-3-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-one] were exhibited highest drug score and emerged as lead compounds and motivates for further development of more effective and safer compounds.

Benzo[d]imidazol-5-yl)-5-(substituted)-1,3,4-Oxadiazoles: Synthesis, Anticancer, Antimicrobial and In Silico Studies

Background:

Cancer is a fatal disease for mankind; continuous research is still going on for the invention of potent anticancer drugs. In this view, 1, 3, 4-Oxadiazoles are privileged molecules which attracted medicinal chemists towards their anticancer properties.

Methods:

A new series of benzo[d]imidazol-5-yl)-5-(substituted)-1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives was synthesized in an efficient ‘one-pot’ nitro reductive cyclization using sodium dithionite as a cyclizing agent by a conventional method with good yield. All the structures of the synthesized molecules were characterized by IR, 1H NMR, HRMS and Mass spectral analysis. Anticancer activity screening against A375 melanoma cancer cell line and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line along with antimicrobial activity were carried out using agar well diffusion method.

Results:

Compounds 8a and 8j of the series emerged as potent anticancer agents against A375 melanoma cancer cell line with IC50 47.06 µM and 36.76 µM, respectively. In silico studies also revealed that compounds 8a and 8j showed highest interaction with 2OH4 protein of VEGFR-2 tyrosine kinase. Substantial antibacterial and antifungal activities against the tested microorganism were observed for compounds 8j and 8g.

Conclusion:

Potent anticancer property has been observed with 1,3,4-Oxadiazole linked tetrafluro substituted benzene ring 8j indicating that future research on these type of molecules can be continued to improve the anticancer activity.

Synthesis of Surfactants Derived from 2-Mercaptobenzimidazole and Study of Their Acute Toxicity and Analgesic and Psychotropic Activities

The aim of the present study is to synthesize cationic salts from a relatively toxic compound named 2-mercaptobenzimidazole and to evaluate some of their pharmacological properties. The acute toxicity of these salts is evaluated according to OECD 423 Guidelines at the doses of 300 and 2000 mg/kg; their peripheral analgesic effect is studied using the Koster test at the therapeutic dose of 200 mg/kg and their sedative action is evaluated using Traction, Chimney, Hole-board, and Rotarod tests at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg. All synthesized molecules show no acute toxicity according to OECD Code 423 guidelines at doses ranging from 300 to 2000 mg/kg and do not cause any obesity or anorexia. Also, the results of the Koster test show that the studied compounds have an average analgesic effect at the dose of 200 mg/kg compared to acetylsalicylic acid. In addition, the elaborated compounds have shown a moderate sedative effect at the dose of 400 mg/kg, in comparison to 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (400 mg/kg) and Bromazepam (20 mg/kg). These compounds have no cataleptic and hypnotic effects on the central nervous system at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg. These results argue in favor of a possible integration of the most active salts tested in the pharmaceutical industry owing to their analgesic and sedative effects.

Antimicrobial potential of 1H-benzo[d]imidazole scaffold: a review

Background

Benzimidazole is a heterocyclic moiety whose derivatives are present in many of the bioactive compounds and posses diverse biological and clinical applications. Benzimidazole agents are the vital pharmacophore and privileged sub-structures in chemistry of medicine. They have received much interest in drug discovery because benzimidazoles exhibited enormous significance. So attempts have been made to create repository of molecules and evaluate them for prospective inherent activity. They are extremely effective both with respect to their inhibitory activity and favorable selectivity ratio.

Conclusion

Benzimidazole is most promising category of bioactive heterocyclic compound that exhibit a wide variety of biological activities in medicinal field. The present review only focus on antimicrobial activity of reported benzimidazole derivatives may serve as valuable source of information for researchers who wish to synthesize new molecules of benzimidazole nucleus which have immense potential to be investigated for newer therapeutic possibilities.

New (3-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl))/(3-(3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl))-(1H-indol-5-yl)(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)methanone conjugates as tubulin polymerization inhibitors

A series of new (3-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl))/(3-(3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl))-(1H-indol-5-yl)(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)methanone conjugates 4-6(a-i) were synthesized and evaluated for their antiproliferative activity on selected human cancer cell lines such as prostate (DU-145), lung (A549), cervical (HeLa) and breast (MCF-7). Most of these conjugates showed considerable cytotoxicity with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.54 to 31.86 μM. Among them, compounds 5g and 6f showed significant activity against human prostate cancer cell line DU-145 with IC₅₀ values of 0.68 μM and 0.54 μM, respectively. Tubulin polymerization assay and immunofluorescence analysis results suggest that these compounds effectively inhibit microtubule assembly formation in DU-145. Further, the apoptosis-inducing ability of these derivatives (5g and 6f) was confirmed by Hoechst staining, measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential and ROS generation and annexin V-FITC assays.

Functionalized Benzimidazole Scaffolds: Privileged Heterocycle for Drug Design in Therapeutic Medicine

Benzimidazole derivatives are crucial structural scaffolds found in diverse libraries of biologically active compounds which are therapeutically useful agents in drug discovery and medicinal research. They are structural isosteres of naturally occurring nucleotides, which allows them to interact with the biopolymers of living systems. Hence, there is a need to couple the latest information with the earlier documentations to understand the current status of the benzimidazole nucleus in medicinal chemistry research. This present work unveils the benzimidazole core as a multifunctional nucleus that serves as a resourceful tool of information for synthetic modifications of old existing candidates in order to tackle drug resistance bottlenecks in therapeutic medicine. This manuscript deals with the recent advances in the synthesis of benzimidazole derivatives, the widespread biological activities as well as pharmacokinetic reports. These present them as a toolbox for fighting infectious diseases and also make them excellent candidates for future drug design.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 2-Aminobenzothiazole and Benzimidazole Analogs Based on the Clathrodin Structure

A series of 2-aminobenzothiazole and benzimidazole analogs based on the clathrodin scaffold was synthesized and investigated for their antimicrobial and antiproliferative activities as well as for their effects in hepatitis C virus (HCV) replicon model. Compound 7, derived from 2-aminobenzothiazole, exhibited moderate antimicrobial activity only against the Gram-positive bacterium, Enterococcus faecalis. In the antiviral assay, compounds 4d and 7 were found to suppress the HCV replicon by >70%, but also to exhibit cytotoxicity against the host cells (35 and 44%, respectively). Compounds 4a and 7 demonstrated good activity in the antiproliferative assays on the human melanoma cell line A-375. To assess the selectivity of the effects between cancerous and noncancerous cells, a mouse fibroblast cell line was used. The IC50 values for compound 7 against the melanoma cell line A-375 and the fibroblast cell line BALB/c 3T3 were 16 and 71 µM, respectively, yielding fourfold selectivity toward the cancer cell line. These results suggest that compound 7 should be studied further in order to fully explore its potential for drug development.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine-benzimidazole hybrids as inhibitors of both tubulin polymerization and PI3K/Akt pathway

A series of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine-benzimidazole hybrids (5a–aa) were prepared and evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against a panel of sixty human tumor cell lines. Among them compounds 5d and 5l showed significant cytotoxic activity with GI50 values ranging from 1.06 to 14.9 μM and 0.43 to 7.73 μM, respectively. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that these compounds arrest the cell cycle at G2/M phase and induced cell death by apoptosis. The tubulin polymerization assay (IC50 of 5d is 3.25 μM and 5l is 1.71 μM) and immunofluorescence analysis showed that these compounds effectively inhibited the microtubule assembly in human breast cancer cells (MCF-7). Further, the apoptotic effects of compounds were confirmed by Hoechst staining, mitochondrial membrane potential, cytochrome c release, ROS generation, caspase 9 activation and DNA fragmentation analysis. After treatment with these compounds for 48 h, p-PTEN and p-AKT levels were markedly decreased. Moreover, these compounds did not significantly inhibit the normal human embryonic kidney cells, HEK-293. The molecular docking simulations predicted the binding interactions of 5d and 5l with colchicine binding site of the tubulin, which is in compliance with the antiproliferative activity data.

Structural, spectral, thermal and biological studies on (Z)-N-benzoyl-N'-(2-oxo-2-(phenylamino)acetyl)carbamohydrazonothioic acid (H₂PABT) and its Cd(II), Hg(II), Zn(II) and U(VI)O₂²⁺ complexes

A new metal complexes formed by the reaction of (Z)-N-benzoyl-N'-(2-oxo-2-(phenylamino)acetyl)carbamohydrazonothioic acid (H2PABT) and Cd(II), Hg(II), Zn(II) and U(VI)O2(2+) ions. The isolated complexes were prepared and characterized by conventional techniques. The IR data revealed that the ligand behaves as mononegative tridentate in Zn(II) and U(VI)O2(2+) complexes also, binegative tetradentate on Cd(II) and Hg(II) complexes. On the basis of magnetic and electronic spectral data an octahedral geometry for the U(VI)O2(2+) complex, a tetrahedral structure for the Cd(II), Zn(II) and Hg(II) complexes have been proposed. The IR spectrum of ligand which determined experimentally is compared with those obtained theoretically from DFT calculations. Also, the bond lengths, bond angles, HOMO, LUMO and dipole moments have been calculated. The calculated HOMO-LUMO energy gap reveals that charge transfer occurs within the ligand molecules. The calculated values of binding energies indicates the stability of complexes is higher that of ligand. Also, the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for the different thermal degradation steps of the complexes were determined by Coats-Redfern and Horowitz-Metzger methods. Moreover, the ligand and its complexes were screened against Bacillus subtilis as Gram positive bacteria and Escherichia coli Gram negative bacteria using the inhibitory zone diameter. Also the antitumor activities of the ligand and its complexes have been evaluated against liver (HePG2) and breast (MCF-7) cancer cells. Out of all the synthesized compounds, [Hg2(PABT)Cl2(H2O)2] and [(UO2)(HPABT)(OAc)(H2O)] complexes showed high antibacterial activity with 55.5% while H2PABT showed the best cytotoxic effect on liver and breast cancer cells with IC50 2.10 and 5.91 of cytotoxicity respectively.

Comprehensive Review in Current Developments of Benzimidazole-Based Medicinal Chemistry

The properties of benzimidazole and its derivatives have been studied over more than one hundred years. Benzimidazole derivatives are useful intermediates/subunits for the development of molecules of pharmaceutical or biological interest. Substituted benzimidazole derivatives have found applications in diverse therapeutic areas such as antiulcer, anticancer agents, and anthelmintic species to name just a few. This work systematically gives a comprehensive review in current developments of benzimidazole-based compounds in the whole range of medicinal chemistry as anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic agents, anti-HIV, antioxidant, anticonvulsant, antitubercular, antidiabetic, antileishmanial, antihistaminic, antimalarial agents, and other medicinal agents. This review will further be helpful for the researcher on the basis of substitution pattern around the nucleus with an aim to help medicinal chemists for developing an SAR on benzimidazole drugs/compounds.

Structure activity relationship (SAR) study of benzimidazole scaffold for different biological activities: A mini-review

Benzimidazoles are the fused heterocyclic ring systems which form an integral part of vitamin B12 and have been luring many researchers all over the world to assess their potential therapeutic significance. They are known for their crucial role in numerous diseases via various mechanisms. Substitution of benzimidazole nucleus is a crucial step in the drug discovery process. Therefore, it is necessary to gather the latest information along with the earlier information to understand the present status of benzimidazole nucleus in drug discovery. In the present review, benzimidazole derivatives with different pharmacological activities are described on the basis of SAR study using structural substitution pattern around the benzimidazole nucleus and aims to review the reported work related to the chemistry and pharmacological activities of benzimidazole derivatives during recent years. The present manuscript to the best of our knowledge is the first compilation on synthesis and medicinal aspects including structure-activity relationships of benzimidazole reported to date.

Benzimidazole bearing oxadiazole and triazolo-thiadiazoles nucleus: design and synthesis as anticancer agents

Two new series of benzimidazole bearing oxadiazole[1-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)-3-(5-substituted-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)propan-1-ones (4a-l)] and triazolo-thiadiazoles[1-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)-3-(6-(substituted)-[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazol-3-yl)propan-1-one (7a-e)] have been synthesized successfully from 4-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)-4-oxobutanehydrazide (3) with an aim to produce promising anticancer agents. In vitro anticancer activities of synthesized compounds were screened at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), USA, according to their applied protocol against full NCI 60 human cell lines panel; results showed good to remarkable anticancer activity. Among them, compound (4j, NCS: 761980) exhibited significant growth inhibition and further screened at 10-fold dilutions of five different concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 μM) with GI(50) values ranging from 0.49 to 48.0 μM and found superior for the non-small cell lung cancer cell lines like HOP-92 (GI(50) 0.49, TGI 19.9,LC(50) >100 and Log(10)GI(50) -6.30, Log(10)TGI -4.70, Log(10)LC(50) >-4.00).

Benzimidazole clubbed with triazolo-thiadiazoles and triazolo-thiadiazines: new anticancer agents

Two series of Benzimidazole clubbed with triazolo-thiadiazoles (5a-q, 5r, 5s and 5x-a(1)) and triazolo-thiadiazines (5t-w) were synthesized with an aim to produce promising anticancer agents. In vitro anticancer activities of synthesized compounds were investigated at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) against NCI 60 cell line panel; results showed good to remarkable broad-spectrum anticancer activity. Among them, the compound 5h (NCS: 760452, 1-(1H-benzo [d] imidazol-2-yl)-3-(6-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazol-3-yl) propan-1-one) exhibited significant growth inhibition with GI50 values ranging from 0.20 to 2.58 μM and found superior selectivity for the leukemia cell lines and further screened at 10-fold dilutions of five different concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 μM). The 5h may possibly be used as lead compound for developing new anticancer agents.

Design and one-pot and microwave-assisted synthesis of 2-amino/5-aryl-1,3,4-oxadiazoles bearing a benzimidazole moiety as antioxidants

In this study, two new series of 2-amino-1,3,4-oxadiazoles and 5-aryl-1,3,4-oxadiazoles carrying a benzimidazole moiety were synthesized. The antioxidant properties of these compounds were investigated in vitro by the determination of the microsomal NADPH-dependent inhibition of lipid peroxidation levels (LP), the microsomal ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activity (EROD), and DPPH radical scavenger effects. Among the tested compounds, 2-[(2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole-1-yl)methyl]-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (9) was found to be the most active compound in all three in vitro systems.

Synthesis and evaluation of antioxidant properties of novel 2-[2-(4-chlorophenyl) benzimidazole-1-yl]-N-(2-arylmethylene amino) acetamides and 2-[2-(4-chlorophenyl) benzimidazole-1-yl]-N-(4-oxo-2-aryl-thiazolidine-3-yl) acetamides-I

Our approach was to synthesize and examine the antioxidant properties of some new 2-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)benzimidazole-1-yl]-N-(2-arylmethyleneamino) acetamide (1-18) and 2-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)benzimidazole-1-yl]-N-(4-oxo-2-aryl-thiazolidine-3-yl)acetamide (1t-18t) derivatives. Their in vitro effects on rat liver microsomal NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation levels (LP assay) and microsomal ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activities (EROD assay) were determined. The free radical scavenging properties of the compounds were also examined in vitro determining the interaction of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical. The compounds showed significant effects in the above tests.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of some novel 2-phenyl benzimidazole-1-acetamide derivatives as potential anthelmintic agents

The present study describes synthesis of a series of 2-phenyl benzimidazole-1-acetamide derivatives and their evaluation for anthelmintic activity using Indian adult earthworms, Pheretima posthuma. The structure of the title compounds was elucidated by elemental analysis and spectral data. The compounds 4-({[2-(4-nitrophenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]acetyl}amino) benzoic acid (3a), N-ethyl-2-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl] acetamide (3c), N-benzyl-2-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl] acetamide (3d), N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl] acetamide (3f), 2-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]-N-phenyl acetamide (3h), 2-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]-N'-phenylacetohydrazide (3k), 2-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]-N-(4-nitrophenyl) acetamide (3n) and 2-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]-N-phenyl acetamide (3q) were found better to paralyze worms whereas N-ethyl-2-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl] acetamide (3c), N-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl] acetamide (3e), 4-({[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl] acetyl}amino) benzoic acid (3j), 2-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]-N-ethyl acetamide (31) and 2-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]-N-phenyl acetamide (3q) were better to cause death of worms compared to the anthelmintic drug albendazole.

Synthesis, antimicrobial and antiviral activity of substituted benzimidazoles

In the present study we have synthesized (4-nitrophenyl)-[2-(substituted phenyl)-benzoimidazol-1-yl]-methanones, (2-bromophenyl)-[2-(substituted phenyl)-benzoimidazol-1-yl]-methanone analogues (1-14) and evaluated them for their antimicrobial and antiviral potential. The results of antimicrobial screening indicated that none of the synthesized compounds were effective against the tested bacterial strains. Compounds 3, 11, 13 and compounds 5, 11, 12 were found to be active against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans respectively, and may be further developed as antifungal agents. Furthermore, evaluation against a panel of different viruses pointed out the selective activity of compounds 5 and 6 against vaccinia virus and Coxsackie virus B4.

Antibacterial, antifungal, insecticidal, cytotoxicity and phytotoxicity studies on Indigofera gerardiana

The antibacterial, antifungal, acute cytotoxicity, phytotoxicity and insecticidal profile of the crude extract and various fractions of Indigofera gerardiana have been studied. Six bacterial and fungal strains were used, of which Samonella typhi and Microsporum canis were the most susceptible strains with MICs 0.37 mg/mL and 0.09 mg/mL, respectively. The crude extract and the fractions showed low insecticidal activity against Sitophilus oryzae, Rhyzopertha dominica and Callosbruchus analis but no activity against Tribolium castaneum. The brine shrimp lethality assay showed absence of any measurable cytotoxicity of the crude extract and fractions, showing a good safety profile at a preliminary level. All the fractions except crude extract revealed profound and highly significant herbicidal activity against Lemna minor at the concentration of 1000 microg/mL. Indigofera gerardiana was shown by in-vitro assays to be a potential source for natural antifungal, antibacterial and herbicidal agents.