SYNTHESIS, DNA-BINDING, AND INTERFERON-INDUCING PROPERTIES OF ISATIN AND BENZOISATIN HYDRAZONES

The ability of isatin derivatives (in particular, aminoacetylhydrazones) to intercalate into DNA and to induce interferon secretion is demonstrated for the first time. The toxicity of isatin derivatives is much lower and its interferon inducing activity is somewhat lower as compared to the analogous benzoisatin derivatives. The DNA affinity of benzoisatin derivatives is two orders of magnitude greater than that of isatin derivatives.