Evaluation of Anti-Neuroinflammatory Activity of Isatin Derivatives in Activated Microglia

Neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the progression of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Overactivated microglia cause neurotoxicity and prolong the inflammatory response in many neuropathologies. In this study, we have synthesised a series of isatin derivatives to evaluate their anti-neuroinflammatory potential using lipopolysaccharide activated microglia as a cell model. We explored four different substitutions of the isatin moiety by testing their anti-neuroinflammatory activity on BV2 microglia cells. Based on the low cytotoxicity and the activity in reducing the release of nitric oxide, pro-inflammatory interleukin 6 and tumour necrosis factor α by microglial cells, the N¹-alkylated compound 10 and the chlorinated 20 showed the best results at 25 µM. Taken together, the data suggest that 10 and 20 are promising lead compounds for developing new neuroprotective agents.

Therapeutic Outcomes of Isatin and Its Derivatives against Multiple Diseases: Recent Developments in Drug Discovery

Isatin (1H indole 2, 3-dione) is a heterocyclic, endogenous lead molecule recognized in humans and different plants. The isatin nucleus and its derivatives are owed the attention of researchers due to their diverse pharmacological activities such as anticancer, anti-TB, antifungal, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, anti-HIV, and so on. Many research chemists take advantage of the gentle structure of isatins, such as NH at position 1 and carbonyl functions at positions 2 and 3, for designing biologically active analogues via different approaches. Literature surveys based on reported preclinical, clinical, and patented details confirm the multitarget profile of isatin analogues and thus their importance in the field of medicinal chemistry as a potent chemotherapeutic agent. This review represents the recent development of isatin analogues possessing potential pharmacological action in the years 2016–2020. The structure–activity relationship is also discussed to provide a pharmacophoric pattern that may contribute in the future to the design and synthesis of potent and less toxic therapeutics.

Recent advances in isatin hybrids as potential anticancer agents

The isatin framework is a useful template for the development of novel anticancer agents. This is exemplified by the fact that several isatin-based anticancer agents, such as semaxanib, sunitinib, nintedanib, and hesperadin, are already in use or under clinical trials for the treatment of diverse kinds of cancers. Isatin-based hybrids could be obtained by incorporating other anticancer pharmacophores into the isatin skeleton and they have the potential to overcome drug resistance with reduced side effects. Thus, isatin-based hybrids may provide attractive scaffolds for the development of novel anticancer agents. This review covers the recent advances of isatin-based hybrids with anticancer activity, covering articles published between 2001 and 2019. The anticancer activities of these molecules and the structure-activity relationships are also discussed. The purpose of this review article is to set up the direction for the design and development of isatin-based hybrids with high efficacy and low toxicity.