Novel indole-based analogs of melatonin: synthesis and in vitro antioxidant activity studies.

The aim of this study was to synthesize and examine possible in vitro antioxidant effects of indole-based melatonin analogue compounds. As a part of our ongoing study nineteen indole hydrazide/hydrazone derivatives were synthesized, characterized and their in vitro antioxidant activity was investigated by three different assays: by evaluating their reducing effect against oxidation of a redox sensitive fluorescent probe, by examining their protective effect against H2O2-induced membrane lipid peroxidation and by determining their inhibitory effect on AAPH-induced hemolysis of human erythrocytes. The results indicated significant strong antioxidant activity for most of the compounds, when compared to melatonin.