RESUMEN
We report the synthesis of twelve indole derivatives bearing nitro or amide groups via Fischer indole methodology followed by reduction/acetylation and amidation reactions. After thorough characterization, these indoles were subjected to a number of studies in order to evaluate their bioactive potential as photosynthesis and plant growth inhibitors. Firstly, these molecular hybrids were evaluated as photosystem II (PSII) inhibitors through chlorophyll a (Chl a) fluorescence measurement. In this study, 6-chloro-8-nitro-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-carbazole (15a) and 5-chloro-2,3-dimethyl-7-nitro-1H-indole (15b) showed the best results by reducing the phenomenological parameters of reaction centers ABS/RC, TR0 /RC and ET0 /RC of PSII. Electron chain blockage by these compounds may lead to diminished ATP synthesis and CO2 fixation which interrupt the plant development. The compounds 15a and 15b both act as postemergent herbicides, reducing the dry biomass of Ipomoea grandifolia and Senna alata weeds by an average of 40% and 37%, respectively, corroborating the fluorescence results. Additionally, the molecular docking study revealed that the presence of strong electron-withdrawing groups at the indole phenyl ring is important for the ligand's interaction with the binding pocket of protein D1 on PSII. The optimization of these molecular features is the goal of our research group in further understanding and development of new potent herbicides.
Asunto(s)
Diseño de Fármacos , Indoles/farmacología , Nitrógeno/química , Complejo de Proteína del Fotosistema II/antagonistas & inhibidores , Indoles/químicaRESUMEN
Indole derivatives were synthetized based on the Fischer indole methodology using different phenyl hydrazine hydrochlorides and either cyclohexanone or 2-butanone. The pre- and post-emergent herbicidal activities were evaluated against Ipomoea grandifolia. A carbazole, 6-chloro-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-carbazole (3b), decreased the PIabs parameter by 32% and increased the cross-section related parameters, indicating the inactivation of the reaction center on photosystem II. Compound 3b acts as a post-emergent herbicide prototype since dry biomass was reduced by 50%, corroborating the fluorescence results. Comparing instead with a germination experiment, 2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-carbazole (3a) was found to be the most effective agent, inhibiting seed germination by 22% and decreasing root length by 50%. The tetrahydrocarbazoles showed better results than indole derivatives potentially due to the presence of methylene groups at structures, which increase the compounds' lipophilicity and may facilitate their access to the plant. In addition, electron withdrawing groups on the aromatic ring were found to correlate with increased herbicide activity. Further optimization of this series towards the development of herbicides is ongoing.