Environmentally Friendly Synthesis of New Mono- and Bis-Pyrazole Derivatives; In Vitro Antimicrobial, Antifungal, and Antioxidant Activity; and In Silico Studies: DFT, ADMETox, and Molecular Docking

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance and oxidative stress are major global health challenges, necessitating the development of novel therapeutic agents. Pyrazole derivatives, known for their diverse pharmacological properties, hold promise in addressing these issues. This study aimed to synthesize new mono- and bis-pyrazole derivatives using an eco-friendly, catalyst-free approach and evaluate their antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities, supported by in silico ADMET profiling, molecular docking, and Density Functional Theory (DFT) analysis. Methods: The compounds were synthesized via a green condensation reaction and characterized using NMR and mass spectrometry, which was verified by DFT analysis. Biological activities were assessed through DPPH and FRAP antioxidant assays, as well as disk diffusion and MIC methods, against bacterial strains (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli) and fungal strains (Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger). Computational ADMET profiling evaluated pharmacokinetics and toxicity, while molecular docking assessed interactions with target proteins, including catalase, topoisomerase IV, and CYP51. Results: Theoretical calculations using DFT were in agreement with the experimental results; regarding biological activities, O4 demonstrated the most significant antioxidant activity, with 80.14% DPPH radical scavenging and an IC50 value of 40.91 µg/mL. It exhibited potent antimicrobial activity, surpassing Streptomycin with a 30 mm inhibition zone against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and showing strong efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Computational studies confirmed favorable pharmacokinetic properties, no AMES toxicity, and strong binding affinities. DFT analysis revealed O4’s stability and reactivity, further validating its potential as a therapeutic candidate. Conclusions: This study identified and characterized novel pyrazole derivatives with promising biological and pharmacological properties. O4 emerged as the most potent compound, demonstrating strong antioxidant and antimicrobial activities alongside favorable computational profiles. These findings highlight the potential of the synthetized compounds for therapeutic development and underscore the value of integrating green synthesis with computational techniques in drug discovery.