Synthesis and evaluation of novel thiohydantoin derivatives for antidiabetic activity using in silico in vitro and in vivo methods

Abstract

Abstract Diabetes mellitus remains a global health challenge, necessitating the development of novel therapeutic agents. In this study, a series of thiohydantoin derivatives (FP1–FP7) were synthesized and evaluated for their in silico, in vitro, and in vivo antidiabetic potential. Molecular docking studies revealed strong binding affinities of derivatives towards α-glucosidase (PDB: 3wy1) and α-amylase (PDB: 3dhp), with FP4 exhibiting the most favorable interactions (− 7.8 kcal/mol with α-amylase and − 7.0 kcal/mol with α-glucosidase), involving hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking. During in vitro enzyme inhibition assay, FP4 demonstrated potent inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase and α-amylase, with IC₅₀ values of 129.40 and 128.90 µg/mL, respectively. The DPPH scavenging assay also indicated that FP4 had relatively strong antioxidant activity, with an IC₅₀ value of 39.7 µg/mL. In vivo antidiabetic efficacy was evaluated in STZ-induced diabetic rats over a period of 6-week. FP4 treated diabetic rats exhibited significantly reduced fasting blood glucose by 28.9% than in diabetic controls. In addition, HbA1C levels and diabetes-associated weight loss were significantly curtailed in these animals than untreated diabetic group. Further FP4 treated animals exhibited significantly decreased LDL and triglyceride levels and elevated HDL levels, suggesting a broader metabolic benefit. Taken together, our results suggest that thiohydantoin derivatives, particularly FP4, exhibited interesting antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activities warranting further pharmacokinetic and mechanistic investigations also potential for clinical translation and long term safety assessment.