Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial studies of biosensitive Knoevenagel condensate β-ketoanilide Schiff base and its Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes

A new series of transition metal complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II), has been synthesized from the Knoevenagel condensate Schiff base ligand(L) derived from β-ketoanilide and furfural with o-phenylenediamine and diethylmalonate. Structural features were determined by spectral and analytical techniques. Square-planar geometry has been adopted by the complexes except cobalt complex which has an octahedral geometry. The synthesized ligand and its complexes were screened for their anti-inflammatory activity in male albino rats (Carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema model). Among these complexes, copper complex shows significant anti-inflammatory activity. It exhibits significant dose dependent activity in acute inflammation. The doses of 100 and 200 mg kg -1 bw produced 38.3 % and 42.8 % inhibition respectively after 3 h as compared with that of the standard drug (indomethacin) which showed 48.5 % inhibition. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the ligand and its complexes was monitored by disc diffusion method. It has been found that complexes have higher antimicrobial activity than that of free ligand.