Synthesis, Spectroscopic Characterization and Preliminary Antidiabetic Evaluation of N-Benzyl Benzimidazole Derivatives

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia due to defects in
insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. The increasing global prevalence of diabetes has necessitated the
development of safer and more effective therapeutic agents. Benzimidazole derivatives are well known for their
broad spectrum of biological activities, including antioxidant and antidiabetic properties. In this study, Nbenzylated benzimidazole derivatives were synthesized and characterized using FTIR, UV–Visible, ¹H NMR,
and ¹³C NMR. The antioxidant activity of the synthesized compounds was evaluated using DPPH and FRAP
assays, while preliminary in-vitro antidiabetic potential was assessed through α-amylase inhibition assay.
Characterization data were found to support the expected structures. Results of the biological assays revealed
that the synthesized compounds exhibited moderate antioxidant activity value compared to the standard. For
instance, BI-1 and BI-2 shows a maximum of 39.8 %, and 38.2 % radical scavenging power, respectively. On
the other hand, BI-3 and BI-4 shows a radical scavenging power 53.9 % and 41.5 %, respectively. Similarly, the
IC50 values for the α-amylase inhibitory activity test were found to be 1033.41, 974.50, 308.11, and 300.10
µg/mL, for BI-1 to BI-4, respectively indicating a significant increase in activity with N-benzylation. These
findings indicate that benzyl benzimidazoles may serve as promising scaffolds for further development as
antidiabetic agents.