Hybrid compounds from thiosemicarbazone and triazole as antidiabetic agents and their antioxidant potentials

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease that threatens and reduces the quality of life. Eight hybrids (1ah) of thiosemicarbozone and triazole were screened for their effects on genes related to type 2 diabetes as well as their antioxidant activity. The influence of the hybrids on glucose transport genes (Glut-4, Mef2a and Nrf-1) was carried out using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antioxidant assays were carried out using established techniques. Hybrids 1b, 1d, 1e and 1g exhibited high expression of Glut-4 gene relative to insulin and control. All the hybrids tested except 1h and 1f expressed the Nrf-1 while only 1h did not express Mef-2a relative to control. Among all the compounds, 1b showed the highest 1-diphenyl-2-picryl- hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging ability and Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC) values. In terms of Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) and Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC), 1c and 1d had the highest values, respectively. In all the antioxidant assays carried out, 1a was shown to have the lowest antioxidant activities. Hybrids 1d and 1g showed consistent pattern of glucose transport pathway gene transcription with all the hybrids showing antioxidant potentials though at varying extents. These hybrids could be potential candidates eliciting antidiabetic and antioxidant effects.