Antioxidant and Hypoglycemic Effects of Curcumin Pyrazole Derivatives

Objective: To investigate the antioxidant properties of curcumin pyrazole derivatives using different in-vitro models and hypoglycemic potential by gluconeogenesis studies. Methods: Antioxidant ability of curcumin pyrazole derivatives was evaluated by using DPPH, nitric oxide, superoxide anion scavenging and lipid peroxidation assays comparing with standard, ascorbic acid (AA). The hypoglycemic effects of the compounds (3a-3e) were assessed by gluconeogenesis inhibition assay using rat liver slices comparing with standard, Insulin. Results: Compounds demonstrated strong scavenging activities against 2, 2-diphenyl, 2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide, superoxide anion radicals and also effectively inhibited lipid peroxidation. Compounds 3a, 3b and 3e exhibited significant activity in quenching DPPH, superoxide anion radical, nitric oxide and showed anti-lipid peroxidation. Other compounds 3c and 3d showed moderate activities. The gluconeogenesis inhibitory effects were more pronounced with compounds 3a and 3b compared to compounds 3c, 3d and 3e. Conclusion: Curcumin pyrazole derivatives showed considerable antioxidant activity against free radicals and lipid peroxidation. They exhibited significant IC50 values and thus can promote prominent protection against oxidative damage. The compounds 3a and 3b could be promising hypoglycemic agents as they are capable of lowering blood glucose by inhibiting gluconeogenesis and can be selected for further in-vitro and in vivo anti-diabetic investigations.