Synthesis, in vitro evaluation and molecular docking studies of thiazole derivatives as new inhibitors of α-glucosidase

•Synthesis of thiazole derivatives.•In vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory activity.•Identification of a novel class of α-glucosidase inhibitors.•Structure–activity relationship established.•Molecular docking.

A series of thiazole derivatives 1–21 were prepared, characterized by EI-MS and 1H NMR and evaluated for α-glucosidase inhibitory potential. All twenty one derivatives showed good α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with IC50 value ranging between 18.23 ± 0.03 and 424.41 ± 0.94 μM when compared with the standard acarbose (IC50, 38.25 ± 0.12 μM). Compound (8) (IC50, 18.23 ± 0.03 μM) and compound (7) (IC50 = 36.75 ± 0.05 μM) exhibited outstanding inhibitory potential much better than the standard acarbose (IC50, 38.25 ± 0.12 μM). All other analogs also showed good to moderate enzyme inhibition. Molecular docking studies were carried out in order to find the binding affinity of thiazole derivatives with enzyme. Studies showed these thiazole analogs as a new class of α-glucosidase inhibitors.

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