Synthesis of 1H-1,2,3-triazole derivatives as new α-glucosidase inhibitors and their molecular docking studies

Abstract Inhibition of α -glucosidase is an effective strategy for controlling the post-prandial hyperglycemia in diabetic patients. For the identification of new inhibitors of this enzyme, a series of new ( R )-1-(2-(4-bromo-2-methoxyphenoxy) propyl)-4-(4-(trifluoromethyl) phenyl)-1 H -1,2,3-triazole derivatives were synthesized ( 8a–d and 10a–e ). The structures were confirmed by NMR, mass spectrometry and, in case of compound 8a , by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The α -glucosidase inhibitory activities were investigated in vitro. Most derivatives exhibited significant inhibitory activity against α -glucosidase enzyme. Their structure-activity relationship and molecular docking studies were performed to elucidate the active pharmacophore against this enzyme. Compound 10b was the most active analogue with IC 50 value of 14.2 µM, while compound 6 was found to be the least active having 218.1 µM. A preliminary structure-activity relationship suggested that the presence of 1 H -1,2,3-triazole ring in 1 H -1,2,3-triazole derivatives is responsible for this activity and can be used as anti-diabetic drugs. The molecular docking studies of all active compounds were performed, in order to understand the mode of binding interaction and the energy of this class of compounds.