Benzofuran hydrazones as potential scaffold in the development of multifunctional drugs: Synthesis and evaluation of antioxidant, photoprotective and antiproliferative activity

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.07.001

New benzofuranhydrazones 3–12 were easily prepared and assayed for their radical-scavenging ability. Hydrazones 3–12 showed different extent antioxidant activity in DPPH, FRAP and ORAC assays. Good antioxidant activity is related to the number and positio

Full text of DOI:10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.07.001

Accepted Manuscript
Benzofuran hydrazones as potential scaffold in the development of multifunctional
drugs: Synthesis and evaluation of antioxidant, photoprotective and antiproliferative
activity
Anna Baldisserotto, Monica Demurtas, Ilaria Lampronti, Davide Moi, Gianfranco
Balboni, Silvia Vertuani, Stefano Manfredini, Valentina Onnis
PII:
S0223-5234(18)30557-9
10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.07.001
EJMECH 10536
DOI:
Reference:
To appear in: European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
Received Date: 5 June 2018
Revised Date: 29 June 2018
Accepted Date: 1 July 2018
Please cite this article as: A. Baldisserotto, M. Demurtas, I. Lampronti, D. Moi, G. Balboni, S.
Vertuani, S. Manfredini, V. Onnis, Benzofuran hydrazones as potential scaffold in the development
of multifunctional drugs: Synthesis and evaluation of antioxidant, photoprotective and antiproliferative
activity, European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry (2018), doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.07.001.
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ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
Benzofuran Hydrazones as potential scaffold in the development of multifunctional drugs:
synthesis and evaluation of antioxidant, photoprotective and antiproliferative activity
Anna Baldisserotto,#,° Monica Demurtas,§,° Ilaria Lampronti,^ Davide Moi,§ Gianfranco Balboni,§ Silvia
Vertuani,# Stefano Manfredini,# and Valentina Onnis§*
§Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Unit of Pharmaceutical, Pharmacological and
Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Cagliari, via Ospedale 72, Cagliari I-09124, Italy;
#Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19,
Ferrara I-44121, Italy.
^Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 74, Ferrara I-
44121, Italy.
*To whom correspondence should be addressed. Phone: (+39) 0706758632, fax: (+39) 0706758612. E-mail:
vonnis@unica.it
°These authors equally contribute to the present paper
Highlights
* An efficient synthesis afforded new benzofuran hydrazones.
* Synthesized compounds were assayed in vitro as antioxidants and photoprotective agents.
* Synthesized compounds were assayed in vitro for their antiproliferative activity on human melanoma and
leukemia cells.
* The hydrazone 11 showed antioxidant activity in DPPH, FRAP and ORAC test.
* The hydrazone 11 inhibited the growth of Colo-38 and K-562 cells with sub-micromolar IC50 value.
Keywords
Benzofuran hydrazones, Polyhydroxylated compounds, Antioxidant activity, Photoprotective agents,
Antiproliferative activity.
Graphical abstract
Antiproliferative activity
IC50(µM) 0,44±0,06
Antioxidant activity
(µmolTE/g) 9210.10 ± 34.85
Photoprotective activity
UVAPF (P≤0.05) 5.57

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Abstract
New benzofuranhydrazones 3-12 were easily prepared and assayed for their radical-scavenging ability.
Hydrazones 3-12 showed different extent antioxidant activity in DPPH, FRAP and ORAC assays. Good
antioxidant activity is related to the number and position of hydroxyl groups on the arylidene moiety. High
antioxidant activity is showed by the 2-hydroxy-4-(diethylamino)benzylidene derivative 11. Furthermore,
hydrazones 3-12 showed photoprotective capacities with satisfactory in vitro SPF as compared to the
commercial PBSA sunscreen filter. The antiproliferative effects of the hydrazones 3-12 was tested on
erythroleukemia K562 and Colo-38 melanoma human cells. All the compounds showed growth inhibition in
the micromolar to sub micromolar concentration range. If taken together these results points to
benzofuran hydrazones as potential multifunctional molecules especially in the treatment of neoplastic
diseases being the good antioxidant properties of 5, 7 and 11 correlated to their high antiproliferative
activity.
1. Introduction
Benzofuran nucleus is one of the most important oxygen containing heterocycles, and due to its derivatives
potent biological properties has been identified as a target in medicinal chemistry. Benzofurans find
application in a variety of drugs and in other field of chemistry and agriculture [1]. Therefore, benzofuran
derivatives are the important scaffold for drug discovery and possess broad spectrum biological activity like
antimicrobial [2-6], anti-viral [7, 8] anti-cancer [9-16], anti-Alzheimer [17-20], anti-hyperlipidemic [21],
antinflammatory and anticonvulsivant [22], anti-tubercular [23], anti-pyretic [24] and protein tyrosine
phosphatase inhibitors [25]. The benzofuran core is widely distributed in nature, mainly contained in
products of secondary plant metabolism. Moreover benzofurans occur in a great number of natural
products. Many of the natural benzofurans have physiological, pharmacological or toxic properties [26] and
a large number of benzofuran derivatives either synthetic or naturally occurring have been reported for
antioxidant activities [27, 28]. Some examples of products of natural derivation, containing the benzofuran
ring, are viniferin, a stilbene with powerful antioxidant properties and not only [29], while psoralene and
methoxalene are used for the treatment of psoriasis and other skin diseases such as vitiligo, due to their
dermoprotective effects [1]. Also the usnic acid, present in different kinds of lichens, includes in its
molecular skeleton the benzofuran ring system. It is believed to be a powerful antioxidant and, at the same
time, performs as photo-protective against UV rays [30]; due to this dualism, the usnic acid has great
importance especially in the cosmetic field, finding use in the production of solar products.
Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation can cause various dermal disorders and is considered the most
significant risk factor for the development of skin cancer [31]. UVB rays are responsible for direct damage

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to the skin, such as burns and rashes; while the UVA rays cause indirect damage, in most cases, due to the
formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) [32]. Considering that the negative effects of UV rays are also
attributable to the overproduction of oxygen free radicals, to obtain an effective photoprotection it is
crucial to reduce the amount of UV radiation reaching the epidermis and dermis, but also to counteract the
ROS activity. Innovative molecules, having dual antioxidant and photoprotective activity, has been reported
to prevent skin cancer, thanks to the synergistic action of the two properties of which they are endowed
[33].
We previously reported some polyhydroxylated benzimidazole derivatives as radical scavengers and UV-
protective agents [34] and benzimidazolehydrazone derivatives endowed with interesting antiproliferative
activity on human cancer cell lines [35]. On the other hand benzofuran derivatives have been identified to
exhibit cytotoxic activities against HL-60, SW480, A549, MCF-7, SMMC-7721 human tumor cell lines [36]
while, at best of our knowledge, benzofuran hydrazones have been reported as alpha-amylase inhibitors
only [37]. Up to date however, the potential of hydroxybenzofuranhydrazone derivatives for identification
of dual antioxidant-UV protecting and antiproliferative has not been explored yet. We have recently started
a SAR study taking as a lead molecule the 2-phenyl-1-H-benzimidazole-5-sulfonic acid (PBSA), a well known
sunscreen filter endowed with sunscreen protective activity and high level of safety. From this scaffold we
have obtained, by sequential modification, very interesting multifunctional molecule especially toward
neoplastic diseases.
Continuing our investigations and considering the importance of the presence of moieties allowing an
extension of the conjugation to the substituted aromatic ring, which makes an essential contribution to the
antioxidant activity [38], in the present work we designed, synthesized and tested for their antioxidant, UV
protective and antiproliferative activities,
carbohydrazide derivatives.
a small library of hydroxybenzylidenebenzofuran-2-
2. Results and Discussion
2.1. Chemistry
The target hydrazones 3-12 (Table 1) were synthesized as shown in Scheme 1. Ethyl benzofuran-2-
carboxylate 1 was achieved by modification of a reported procedure [39] by reaction of salicylaldhehyde
with ethyl bromoacetate in the presence of potassium carbonate. High yields of 1H-benzo[d]imidazole-2-
carbohydrazide 2 were achieved upon refluxing for 3 h an ethanolic solution of the ethyl ester 1 and
hydrazine hydrate. Hydrazones 3-12 were obtained in good to excellent yield by coupling the hydrazide 2
with the appropriate hydroxyarylaldehydes in ethanol. All the newly synthesized compounds were in
agreement with expected analytical data. The IR and NMR spectral data are consistent with the assigned
structure. According to the literature, the presence of a singlet downfield resonating (8.27-8.87 ppm) CH=N
signal, exclusively accounts for formation of E-isomers [40].

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Scheme 1. Reagents and conditions: (i) Ethyl bromoacetate, K2CO3, MeCN, reflux, 1.5 h; (ii) NH2NH2∙H2O,
EtOH, reflux 3 h; (iii) ArCHO, EtOH, reflux, 18 h.
2.2 Antioxidant activity
The evaluation of the antioxidant properties of the hydrazones 3-12 object of this work was performed by
1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging activity (DPPH), Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP),
and Oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) methods. Results are shown in Table 1 and are expressed
as µmolTE/g for DPPH, FRAP, and ORAC tests. For the best interpretation of the results of the DPPH, for
each compound the concentration was sought in order to inhibit 50% of the radical. From the screening of
benzofuran hydrazones 3-12, by DPPH test, it can be seen that the best results, in terms of antioxidant
capacity, occur when a high number of hydroxyl groups are present on the arylidene ring. The compound
with the best activity was the 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzylidene derivative 7. While the 2,4,6-
trihydroxybenzylidene analog 8 showed a slight reduction of the antioxidant activity. The 3-
hydroxybenzylidene (4) and 4-hydroxybenzilidene (3) derivatives showed weak activity. The introduction of
a second hydroxyl group to give hydrazone 5 led to slight improvement of activity as compared to
compound 3. The displacement of 4-hydroxy group into 5-position (hydrazine 6), produced a consistent
increase in the activity. The introduction of electron withdrawing groups, such as 5-chlorine atom, into
benzylidene ring, even if accompanied by the electron donor effect of the 2-hydroxy group (hydrazone 10)
depleted antioxidant activity. The replacement of the 4-hydroxy group of with a diethylamino moiety
(hydrazone 11) restored antioxidant properties as those of the trihydroxy analog 8.
On FRAP analysis, hydrazones 3-12 resulted powerful antioxidants, except for derivatives 10 and 12.
According to the results obtained from the DPPH test, the best performing hydrazone was the 2,3,4-
trihydroxybenzilidene 7, followed by 2,5-dihydroxybenzilidene derivative 6 and by the 2,4,6-trihydroxy
analog 8. Significant antioxidant activity is showed by compounds 9 and 11 characterized by the presence in
the 4-position on electron donor groups.

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Table 1. Antioxidant activity of the benzofuran derivatives 3-12.
DPPHa
FRAPa
ORACa
Compd. Ar
(µmolTE/g)
(µmolTE/g)
(µmolTE/g)
45.80 ± 2.97
76.70 ± 2.45
148.51 ± 4.92
2293.83 ± 20.62 26059.89 ± 46.23
1667.38 ± 13.04 6786.29 ± 16.89
3
4
5
1212.75 ± 6.45
9375.99 ± 26.70
6202.86 ± 30.9 6966.77 ± 28.25 19003.78 ± 26.13
9210.10 ± 34.85 13248.57 ± 35.89 5257.42 ± 17.21
6
7
1140.96 ± 6.20 4023.34 ± 8.63
3560.49 ± 6.72
8
9
101.13 ± 0.72
< LOQb
3102.81 ± 4.29
46.29 ± 1.49
10888.11 ± 10.98
-
10
11
1006.62± 14.19 4150.23 ± 7.53
22119.18 ± 16.89
131.57 ± 7.09
132.18 ± 4.12
-
12
aEach value was obtained from three experiments (mean ± SE); bLOQ limit of quantification; - not tested.

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Through the ORAC test, it was investigated the antioxidant capacity of those compounds that had shown a
satisfactory antioxidant activity with one or both the previous DPPH and FRAP tests. The ORAC test was
aimed to confirm the results obtained with the previous methods and extend the activity profile for each
derivative. All compounds tested exhibited a lively ability to inhibit the oxidative degradation of the
fluorescent molecule, caused by peroxyl radicals. The benzofuran derivatives 3, 6 and 11 showed a very
high ORAC antioxidant power. A significant antioxidant capacity against the peroxyl radicals was observed
for compound 9. While the trihydroxybenzylidene derivatives 7 and 8 (that resulted, at the DPPH and FRAP
methods, as the best derivative of the series) demonstrated the lowest activity among all tested
hydrazones, but, in any case, more than appreciable.
2.3 Evaluation of filtering properties
The Solar Protection Factor (SPF) is related to the UV absorption of the substances, for this reason the
maximum absorption wavelength (λmax) and the molar extinction coefficient (ε) of each
benzofuranhydrazone derivative in methanol solution were evaluated. As a model reference compound we
selected filter PBSA a commercial UV filter used since 20 years in commercial sunscreens. The benzofuran
ring can be indeed considered as an isoster of the benzimidazole scaffold. The UV spectra of hydrazones 3-
12 were recorded between 270 and 420 nm (20 nm above and below the UVA-UVB range) and compared
to the reference PBSA that has a λmax of 302 nm; after this peak, the absorbance decreases, reaching
almost zero around 325 nm, thus not providing any absorption in the UVA region. The spectra of the new
hydrazones 3-12 showed the maximum lambda shifted towards longer wavelengths, as compared to the
PBSA λmax, furthermore the absorption curves of the compounds 3-12 (Figure S1 and S2) had also a wider
range as compared to PBSA.
In general it has been observed that, considering the substituent on the N2 nitrogen of the hydrazone
moiety, the bathochromic shift was correlated with the increase of the number of auxochromic groups
present on the arylidene ring. After establishing the maximum lambda for each compound, the molar
extinction coefficient (Table 2) was calculated by applying the Lambert-Beer equation.
2.4 Determination of in vitro SPF
In the aim to develop a new class of dualistic molecules, the synthesized hydrazones 3-12 have been
evaluated as possible sunscreens. Solutions containing benzofuran derivatives were tested for their SPF
efficacy in comparison with PBSA using the in vitro method of Diffey and Robson [41].
All the parameters necessary for evaluating whether a sunscreen meets the efficacy requirements, namely:
the SPF value, the UVA / UVB ratio, the UVA Protection Factor value (UVAPF) and the critical wavelength

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(λc) of hydrazones 3-12 are showed in Table 2. These data were obtained by elaboration of transmittance
spectra using the SPF calculator software.
Table 2. Values of λ max and ε and UV filtering activity of the hydrazones 3-12.
λc a(nm)
λ max (nm)
SPF
UVA/UVB UVAPF
ε
Compd.
(P≤0.05) (P≤0.05)
(P≤0.05)
3
328
314
343
306
336
345
334
310
381
329
302
37310 3.40
34900 7.58
20906 10.23
28265 2.18
13288 7.58
33500 1.99
32000 3.36
35285 5.78
47754 2.59
24983 8.82
25000 1.68
0.29
0.85
0.26
1.33
0.85
1.32
2.33
1.14
1.29
0.39
1.27
1.03
322
353
342
366
353
366
371
357
387
359
394
4
2.45
1.50
2.38
2.45
2.02
5.57
2.89
3.60
2.85
5.10
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
PBSA
aWavelength at which the integral of the spectral absorbance curve reaches 90% of the area under the curve from 290 to 400 nm
The SPF value of the hydrazones 3, 4, 6, 9 and 10 was noticeable when compared to the commercial PBSA
filter, used as a reference. In general, the values obtained are in agreement with what has been reported in
the literature on sunscreen filters that present phenyl rings: the presence of 4-methoxy, 2-hydroxy or 4-
hydroxy groups increases the filtering capacity [42]. Hydrazones 3 and 6 showed the same protection value,
despite the different number and position of hydroxyl groups on the benzylidene ring. The 2,5-
dihydroxybenziledene derivative 6 displayed an SPF value 3.5 times higher than 2,4-dihydroxybenziledene
derivative 5. Derivatives that, in absolute terms, show the best filtering capacity were hydrazones 4 and 10.
Another important parameter to define the protection that a solar filter is able to provide against UV
radiation is the critical wavelength, classified by the US Food and Drug Administration in five numerical
categories, as follows: 0 (λc <325 nm), 1 (325 ≤ λc ≤ 335), 2 (335 ≤ λc ≤ 350), 3 (350 ≤ λc <370) and 4 (λc ≥
370) [43]. According to this classification, 4, 11 and 12 were classified as "4"; 3, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10 as "3" and 4
as "2". A wide-spectrum solar product that is, able to protect the skin at the same time from UVB and UVA

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rays should have a value of λc above 370 nm [44]. According to this criterion, the only interesting
benzofuran hydrazones were 8, 11 and 12. The UVA - UVB absorbance ratio is another important
parameter for evaluating the absorption of a sunscreen across the full UV range: this ratio should be worth
at least 1/3 in according to the latest EU recommendation. With the exception of 4, all compounds 3-12
followed this indication, most of them display values greater than 1 being hydrazone 8 the best (UVA / UVB
absorbance ratio value 2.33). Finally, the UVAPF value, determined according to the ISO-24443 guidelines,
showed that all the compounds in the series have a better UVA Protection Factor than the reference PBSA
and, in particular, the UVAPF values of hydrazones 8 and 11 emerged (5.57 and 5.10 respectively).
2.5. Antiproliferative and differentiating activity
The hydrazones 3-12 were tested on human melanoma Colo38 cell line as well as on human
erythroleukemic K562 cells to determine their antiproliferative and differentiating effects [45].
All the compounds have been tested on both cell lines, in order to evaluate the relative IC50 values
expressed in µM concentration (Table 3). Hydrazone 11 exhibited greatest activity of the series, displaying
an antiproliferative effect on both the Colo38 and K562 cells at submicromolar concentrations (IC50 values
0,44±0,06 and 0,52±0,07 µM respectively) while the analog 5 selectively inhibited the Colo38 cell growth
(IC50=0,57±0,12 μM). The presence of one or more hydroxy groups and their position on arylidene ring are
crucial for the activity. In fact the hydrazone of 3-hydroxybenzaldehyde 4 showed antiproliferative activity
at single digit micromolar IC50 values on Colo38 cell line. The shift of the hydroxyl group from the 4-position
to the 3-position led to poorly active compound 3. The introduction of a second 2-hydroxyl group
(hydrazone 5) caused an increase in activity with respect to the 4-hydroxy analog 3, as well as the
replacement of the 4-hydroxyl group of 5 with a diethylamino group (hydrazone 11). On the contrary the
presence of the 2,5-dihydroxybenzylidene group (hydrazone 6) led to reduction in inhibitory activity as
compared with compound 5. The introduction of a third hydroxyl group (compounds 7 and 8) resulted in
slight or drastic reduction of cytostatic activity respectively as compared to 5. A comparison of substituent
effects revealed that the introduction of a 2-hydroxy-5-chlorobenzylidene moiety led to compound 10
endowed with a better antiproliferative effect as compared with 2,5-dihydroxybenzylidene analog 6. The
introduction of the 3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzylidene moiety (compound 9) caused a decrease in activity as
compared with 3-hydroxybenzylidene analog 4.
The monohydroxylated hydrazones 3 and 4 showed poor activity against K562 cell line. The introduction of
a second hydroxyl group (5) and third hydroxyl group (7) caused an increase in activity. The position of the
three hydroxyl groups is crucial in fact the shift of 3-OH to 6-position to give compound 8 led drop in
activity. As in the case of Colo38 cell line the replacement of the 4-hydroxyl group of 5 with a diethylamino
group led to the best active compound of the series (hydrazone 11). The introduction on hydrazone 4 of a
4-methoxy group to give compound 9, the replacement of 2-hydroxyl group of 6 with a chlorine atom to

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give the analog 10, as well as the replacement of the benzylidene moiety with napthylidene (12) produced
improvement in the antiproliferative activity.
Benzofuran derivatives were also tested for their ability in inducing erythroid differentiation of K562 cells
[46]. The compounds were evaluated after 5, 6 and 7 days from the onset of the treatment. Among the
hydrazones 3-12 only the polyhydroxylated derivatives 5 and 9 stimulated the cells to differentiate in an
erythroid direction, although the percentage of differentiation observed for these samples was to be
considered minimal (about 5%).
Table 3. Effects of the benzofuran derivatives on the proliferation of Colo38 and K562 cells.
Compd.
IC50 (µM)
Colo38
K562
3
39,44±2,45
79,9±6,05
4
6,2±0,47
52,4±6,43
4,3±0,12
36,8±2,81
6,0±0,28
64,0±5,13
5,6±0,21
3,7±0,14
0,52±0,07
4,5±0,78
5
0,57±0,12
6,26±1,63
6,48±0,75
24,41±2,94
48,96±3,94
2,02±0,03
0,44±0,06
3,01±0,19
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
4. Conclusion
Continuing our research in the aim to develop possible multifunctional drugs, we selected the benzofuran
scaffold in view of its interesting known properties. Hydrazones 3-12 showed different extent of radical-
scavenging ability towards the nitrogen radical by the DPPH test, to reduce ferric ion by the FRAP test and
to inhibit the oxidative degradation caused by peroxyl radicals using the ORAC test. The SAR data obtained
by the antioxidant screening of the benzofuran derivatives have shown good antioxidant activity and is
related to the number and position of hydroxyl groups on the arylidene moiety. High antioxidant activity is
showed by the 2-hydroxy-4-(diethylamino)benzylidene derivative 11. On the other hand, the presence of
electron attractor groups, such as halogens, has consistently reduced the antioxidant capacity. The
benzofuran derivatives 3-12 showed photoprotective capacities with satisfactory in vitro SPF as compared

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to the commercial PBSA sunscreen filter. In addition, the data obtained showed that all new benzofuran
hydrazones have higher UVA filtering capacities than PBSA, since the UVA-PF, UVA / UVB and critical
wavelength values are higher than those of the lead compound. To confirm the appreciable filtering activity
observed in this preliminary study phase and to evaluate the possible use of such compounds as sunscreen
filters, the analyzed molecules will be included in topical formulations and subjected to further evaluations.
Finally, the hydrazones 3-12 inhibited the growth of human erythroleukemia cells K562 and human Colo-38
melanoma cells at micromolar and sub micromolar concentrations. If taken together these results points to
benzofuran hydrazones as potential multifunctional molecules especially in the treatment of neoplastic
diseases being the good antioxidant properties of 5, 7 and 11 correlated to their high antiproliferative
activity. In particular hydrazone 11 is the best compound of the series on both human tumor cell lines
showing sub micromolar IC50. We believe these results of interest for the scientific community to stimulate
researches in the challenging field of multifunctional drugs.
5. Experimental section
5.1 General methods.
All commercially available solvents and reagents were used without further purification. Standard samples
were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich, Milan, Italy. NMR spectra were recorded on an Inova 500
spectrometer (Varian, Palo Alto, CA, USA). The chemical shifts (δ) are reported in part per million downfield
from tetramethylsilane (TMS), which was used as internal standard, and the spectra were recorded in
hexadeuteriodimethylsulphoxide (DMSO-d6). Infrared spectra were recorded on a Vector 22 spectrometer
(Bruker, Bremen, Germany) in Nujol mulls. The main bands are given in cm-1. Positive-ion electrospray
ionization (ESI) mass spectra were recorded on a double-focusing MAT 95 instrument (Finnigan, Waltham,
MA, USA) with BE geometry. Melting points (mp) were determined on a SMP1 Melting Point apparatus
1
(Stuart Scientific, Stone, UK) and are uncorrected. All products reported showed H NMR spectra in
agreement with the assigned structures. The purity of the tested compounds was determined by
combustion elemental analyses conducted by the Microanalytical Laboratory of the Chemistry Department
of the University of Ferrara with a MT-5 CHN recorder elemental analyzer (Yanagimoto, Kyoto, Japan) and
the values found were within 0.4% of theoretical values. The spectrophotometer used for antioxidant
analysis is a Beckman Coulter ™, DU®530, Life Science UV / VIS spectrophotometer, Single Cell Module. The
instrument used to conduct ORAC analyzes is the Thermo Fluoroskan Ascent FL® Microplate Fluorometer
and Luminometer, linked to Ascent Software® software for data control and processing. In the sample
loading phase, 96-well plates with a black background were used. Spectrophotometric analysis for the
detection of filter parameters were conducted with a UV-VIS spectrophotometer SHIMADZU UV-2600 240
V.

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5.2. Chemistry
5.2.1. Ethyl benzofuran-2-carboxylate (1) To a mixture of salicylaldehyde (1.22 g, 0.01 mol) and MeCN (10
ml), were added ethyl bromoacetate (1.1 mL, 0.01 mol) and K2CO3 (2.76 g, 0.02 mol). The reaction mixture
was refluxed for 1.5 h. After cooling to r.t. the reaction mixture was poured into crushed ice. Then product
was extracted using ethyl acetate (50 ml × 3), the combined organic layer was washed using brine solution
(20 ml × 2). The organic layer was dried using anhydrous sodium sulphate and the solvent evaporated
1
under reduced pressure to afford the product as oil. Yield 80%, bp 274-276 °C. (Lit. 276 °C [47]). H NMR
(DMSO-d6): δ 1.33 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 3H, CH3), 4.37 (q, J=7.5 Hz, 2H, CH2), 7.35 (m, 1H, Ar), 7.50 (m, 1H, Ar), 7.71-
7.80 (m, 3H, Ar). IR (neat) 2984, 1731, 1614, 1563 cm-1. m/z 191 (M + H)+. Anal. Calcd for C11H11O3: C, 69.46;
H, 5.30. Found: C, 69.39; H, 5.32.
5.2.2. Benzofuran-2-carbohydrazide (2). A mixture of ethyl benzofuran-2-carboxylate 1 (3.80 g, 20 mmol),
and hydrazine monohydrate (3 mL, 61.5 mmol) in EtOH (5 mL) was refluxed for 3 h. After cooling the
formed precipitate was filtered off, washed with water (5 x 10 mL) dried and used without further
1
purification. Yield 85%. Mp 190-192 °C (lit. 190-194 °C [47]). H NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 4.56 (s, 2H, NH2), 7.31
(m, 1H, Ar), 7.42 (m, 1H, Ar), 7.50 (s, 1H, Ar), 7.63 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H, Ar), 7.74 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H, Ar), 10.00 (s,
1H, NH). IR (Nujol) 3322, 3184, 1661, 1601 cm-1. m/z 177 (M + H)+. Anal. Calcd for C9H8N2O2: C, 61.36; H,
4.58; N, 15.90. Found: C, 61.29; H, 4.59; N, 15.93.
5.2.3. General procedure for the synthesis of hydrazones (3-16). A mixture of hydrazide 2 (1 mmol) and
the appropriate aldehyde (1 mmol) in EtOH (10 mL) was refluxed for 18h. After cooling the formed
precipitate was filtered off and purified by crystallization from the adequate solvent to give the hydrazone
derivatives.
1
5.2.3.1. (E)-N'-(4-hydroxybenzylidene)benzofuran-2-carbohydrazide (3). Yield 79%. Mp >250 °C (EtOH). H
NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 6.85 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 2H, Ar), 7.36 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 1H, Ar), 7.49 (t, J=8.0 Hz, 1H, Ar ), 7.57 (d,
J=8.0 Hz, 2H, Ar), 7.68 (d, J= 8.0 Hz, 2H, Ar), 7.81 (s, 1H, Ar), 8.41 (s, 1H, CH), 9.95 (s, 1H, OH), 11.93 (s, 1H,
NH). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 110.00, 112.41, 113.63, 115.00, 118.92 (2C), 125.98, 126.96, 128.28, 130.24
(2C), 132.19, 151.34, 152.24, 157.54, 162.79. IR (Nujol) 3289, 1624, 1600 cm-1. m/z 282 (M + H)+. Anal. Calcd
for C16H12N2O3: C, 68.56; H, 4.32; N, 9.99. Found: C, 68.59; H, 4.31; N, 10.03.
5.2.3.2. (E)-N'-(3-hydroxybenzylidene)benzofuran-2-carbohydrazide (4). Yield 93%. Mp 221-223 °C (EtOH).
1H NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 6.83 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H, Ar), 6.85 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H, Ar), 7.11-7.75 (m, 4H, Ar), 7.81 (d,
J=8.0 Hz, 1H, Ar), 7.68 (d, J= 8.0 Hz, 1H, Ar), 7.81 (s, 1H, Ar) 8.43 (s, 1H, CH), 9.62 (s, 1H, OH), 12.09 (s, 1H,

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
NH). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 110.00, 113.98, 115.01, 115.91, 120.82 (2C), 122.10, 126.05, 127.02, 130.37,
133.07, 139.56, 152.00, 157.8, 160.86 (2C). IR (Nujol) 3265, 1662, 1612, 1580 cm-1. m/z 282 (M + H)+. Anal.
Calcd for C16H12N2O3: C, 68.56; H, 4.32; N, 9.99. Found: C, 68.61; H, 4.33; N, 9.96.
5.2.3.3. (E)-N'-(2,4-dihydroxybenzylidene)benzofuran-2-carbohydrazide (5). Yield 74%. Mp 234 °C dec
1
(EtOH). H NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 6.32-6.38 (m, 2H, Ar), 7.32-7.38 (m, 2H, Ar), 7.51 (s, 1H, Ar), 7.70-7.81 (m,
3H, Ar), 8.59 (s, 1H, CH), 9.91 (s, 1H, OH), 11.20 (s, 1H, OH), 12.20 (s, 1H, NH). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6): δ
110.00, 110.57, 115.73, 118.45, 118.67, 119.65, 130.81, 131.78, 134.90, 135.11, 139.20, 155.71, 157.87,
162.05, 162.34, 167.42. IR (Nujol) 1627, 1610 cm-1. m/z 297 (M + H)+. Anal. Calcd for C16H12N2O4: C, 64.86;
H, 4.08; N, 9.46. Found: C, 64.91; H, 4.06; N, 9.50.
5.2.3.4. (E)-N'-(2,5-dihydroxybenzylidene)benzofuran-2-carbohydrazide (6). Yield 54%. Mp >250 °C (EtOH).
1H NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 6.72 (d, J= 7.0 Hz, 2H, Ar), 7.01 (s, 1H,Ar), 7.35-7.38 (m, 2H, Ar), 7.70-7.83 (m, 3H,
Ar), 8.66 (s, 1H, CH), 9.00 (s, 1H, OH), 10.20 (s, 1H, OH), 12.29 (s, 1H, NH). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 109.99,
118.84, 119.77, 121.47 (2C), 125.05, 127.00, 127.12, 130.85, 131.90, 134.88, 135.18, 152.20, 157.84,
158.16, 162.37. IR (Nujol) 1661, 1597 cm-1. m/z 297 (M + H)+. Anal. Calcd for C16H12N2O4: C, 64.86; H, 4.08;
N, 9.46. Found: C, 64.80; H, 4.07; N, 9.43.
5.2.3.5. (E)-N'-(2,3,4-trihydroxybenzylidene)benzofuran-2-carbohydrazide (7). Yield 53%. Mp >250 °C
1
(EtOH). H NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 6.40 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H, Ar), 6.80 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H, Ar), 7.35-7.81 (m, 5H, Ar),
8.55 (s, 1H, CH), 9.82 (s, 1H, OH), 11.20 (s, 1H, OH), 12.15 (s, 1H, NH), 13.10 (s, 1H, OH). 13C NMR (DMSO-
d6): δ 109.9 (2C), 115.68, 118.78, 119.77, 129.13, 130.83, 131.81, 134.90, 135.15, 140.65, 155.48, 155.66,
156.88, 162.05, 162.35. IR (Nujol) 3341, 1655, 1595 cm-1. m/z 313 (M + H)+. Anal. Calcd for C16H12N2O5: C,
61.54; H, 3.87; N, 8.97. Found: C, 61.59; H, 3.86; N, 9.01.
5.2.3.6. (E)-N'-(2,4,6-trihydroxybenzylidene)benzofuran-2-carbohydrazide (8). Yield 60%. Mp 248 °C dec
(EtOH). 1H NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 5.85 (s, 2H, Ar), 7.34-7.80 (m, 5H, Ar), 8.87 (s, 1H, CH), 9.83 (s, 1H, OH), 11.03
(s, 2H, OH), 12.24 (s, 1H, NH). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 97.56 (2C), 102.23, 113.78, 115.00, 126.04, 127.01,
130.15, 130.24, 140.30, 150.88, 157.04, 157.58 (2C), 162.98, 164.98. IR (Nujol) 3341, 1655, 1596 cm-1. m/z
313 (M + H)+. Anal. Calcd for C16H12N2O5: C, 61.54; H, 3.87; N, 8.97. Found: C, 61.49; H, 3.86; N, 8.94.
5.2.3.7. (E)-N'-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)benzofuran-2-carbohydrazide (9). Yield 84%. Mp 192-
193 °C (EtOH). 1H NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 3.81 (s, 3H, OCH3), 6.99 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H, Ar), 7.07 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H, Ar),
7.30-7.81 (m, 6H, Ar), 8.38 (s, 1H, CH), 9.30 (s, 1H, OH), 12.01 (s, 1H, NH). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 56.75,
110.01, 113.72, 115.00, 115.07, 115.58, 123.65, 126.00, 126.98, 130.18, 130.27, 150.09, 152.07, 153.19,
153.78, 157.63, 160.60. IR (Nujol) 3230, 1643, 1609 cm-1. m/z 311 (M + H)+. Anal. Calcd for C17H14N2O4: C,
65.80; H, 4.55; N, 9.03. Found: C, 65.89; H, 4.54; N, 8.99.

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5.2.3.8. (E)-N'-(5-chloro-2-hydroxybenzylidene)benzofuran-2-carbohydrazide (10). Yield 76%. Mp >250 °C
1
dec (EtOH). (lit 293-295 °C [48]. H NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 6.95 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H, Ar), 7.31 (m, 2H, Ar), 7.49 (m,
1H, Ar), 7.53-7.83 (m, 4H, Ar), 8.71 (s, 1H, CH), 11.11 (s, 1H, OH), 12.48 (s, 1H, NH). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6): δ
119.12, 119.80, 126.14, 128.68, 130.90, 130.96, 131.82, 134.83, 135.27, 138.86, 154.21, 154.38, 155.43,
162.40, 162.50, 163.93. IR (Nujol) 3177, 1657, 1605 cm-1. m/z 311 (M + H)+. Anal. Calcd for C16H11ClN2O3: C,
61.06; H, 3.52; N, 8.90. Found: C, 61.00; H, 3.53; N, 8.94.
5.2.3.9. (E)-N'-(4-(diethylamino)-2-hydroxybenzylidene)benzofuran-2-carbohydrazide (11). Yield 74%. Mp
105-106 °C (EtOH). 1H NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 1.10 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 6H, CH3), 3.34 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 4H, CH2), 6.12 (s, 1H,
Ar), 6.26 (d, J= 6.0 Hz, 1H, Ar), 7.19 (d, J=6.0 Hz, 1H, Ar), 7.34 (m, 2H, Ar), 7.50-7.81(m, 3H, Ar), 8.50 (s, 1H,
CH), 11.31 (s, 1H, OH), 12.14 (s, 1H, NH). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 20.43 (2C), 51.71 (2C), 105.38, 110.00,
111.69, 114.32, 118.42, 119.74, 130.74, 131.75, 134.95, 135.01, 139.54, 155.90, 158.26, 158.56, 162.31,
167.66 . IR (Nujol) 1628, 1602 cm-1. m/z 352 (M + H)+. Anal. Calcd for C20H21N3O3: C, 68.36; H, 6.02; N, 11.96.
Found: C, 68.41; H, 5.99; N, 12.01.
5.2.3.10. (E)-N'-((2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylene)benzofuran-2-carbohydrazide (12). Yield 73%. Mp
238-239 °C (EtOH). 1H NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 7.24 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H, Ar), 7.36 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H, Ar), 7.38 (d, J=7.5
Hz, 1H, Ar), 7.40-7.64 (m, 3H, Ar), 7.73-7.95(m, 5H, Ar), 8.27 (s, 1H, CH), 9.59 (s, 1H, OH), 12.52 (s, 1H, NH).
13C NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 110.00, 111.72, 114.49, 114.99, 121.96, 123.91 (2C), 126.14, 126.69, 127.07, 130.16,
131.00, 132.11, 134.84, 136.18, 150.72, 151.08, 157.32, 157.67, 161.27. IR (Nujol) 3324, 1674, 1583 cm-1.
m/z 331 (M + H)+. Anal. Calcd for C20H14N2O3: C, 72.72; H, 4.27; N, 8.48. Found: C, 72.67; H, 4.28; N, 8.52.
5.3. Biological assays
5.3.1. Free radical scavenging activity on DPPH
The DPPH assay measures the hydrogen donation ability of an antioxidant to convert the stable DPPH free
radical into 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl. This can be evaluated by measuring the percent decrease in
absorbance of the solution at 517 nm, which is accompanied by a change of color from deep-violet to light-
yellow, after the radical reaction with products to be tested. The radical-scavenging activity is expressed as
inhibition ratio of initial concentration of DPPH radical and is calculated according to the formula:
Inhibition percentage (Ip)=[(AB-As)/AB]•100
where AB and As are, respectively, the absorbance values of blank reaction and of the tested sample [49].
To 1.5 mL DPPH methanolic solution was added 0.750 mL of compound solution proper diluted. Samples
absorbance measurements were evaluated with a UV-VIS spectrophotometer at fixed wavelength of 517
nm. Blank sample was prepared adding methanol to DPPH solution and Trolox (6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-
tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid) was used as standard reference to achieve a calibration curve.

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5.3.2. Ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) test
In agreement with a modified protocol previously described [50] the ferric ion reducing ability of each
compound solution. The analysis reagent was freshly prepared by mixing the subsequent solutions in the
fixed ratio 10:1:1 (v/v/v): 1) 0.1M Acetate buffer, pH 3.6; 2) TPTZ (2,4,6-tripyridylstriazine), 10 mM in 40
mM HCl, 3) FeCl3, 20 mM. To a 1.9 mL of reagent were added 0.1 mL of sample proper diluted or solvent
when blank was performed. Readings were done after 10 min, using a UV-VIS spectrophotometer at fixed
wavelength of the absorption maximum (593 nm). It was evaluated the absorbance increase of sample
solution against the absorbance of blank reaction as parameter to calculate the antioxidant activity. The
antioxidant activity is given as Trolox activity since this standard was used to perform the calibration curves.
5.3.3. Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC)
The ORAC assay was based on that reported by Hong, Guohua & Ronald as modified in our previous work
[51] and was carried out using fluorescent filters (excitation wavelength: 485 nm; emission filter: 538 nm).
In the final assay mixture (0.2 mL total volume), fluorescein sodium salt (85 nM) was used as a target of
free radical attack with 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) as a peroxyl radical
generator. Trolox was used as a standard control: a calibration curve was carried out with solutions at
different concentrations (from 40 to 240 µM). The tested compounds were dissolved in methanol and
diluted in phosphate buffer solution pH 7.4 (PBS). The fluorescence measurements, carried out at 37 °C,
were recorded at 5 min intervals up 30 min after the addition of AAPH. The ORAC values, calculated as
difference of the areas under the quenching curves of fluoresceine between the blank and the sample,
were expressed as µmol Trolox equivalents (TE) per gram of compound.
5.3.4. Evaluation of filtering parameters
The method followed is an adaptation of the official method for determining the value of SPF in vitro [52].
Methanolic solutions were prepared 0.000034 (± 0.0000033) M of the benzofuran hydrazones 3-12 and
each of the absorption spectra was recorded.
In order to calculate the SPF value in vitro, the absorbance values obtained were transformed into
transmittance values, using the equation below:
A(λ) = - Log[T(λ)]
The transmittance spectrum was elaborated with the SPF calculator software (version 2.1, Shimadzu, Milan,
Italy) to obtain the values of SPF, UVA / UVB, UVAPF and λ critical.
5.3.5. Growth inhibition assays

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Cell growth inhibition assays were carried out using two human cancer cell lines, melanoma Colo38 and
erythroleukemia K562 [53, 54]. Cell lines were maintained in RPMI 1640, supplemented with 10% fetal
bovine serum (FBS), penicillin (100 Units mL-1), streptomycin (100 μg mL-1) and glutamine (2 mM) (complete
medium); the pH of the medium was 7.2 and the incubation was performed at 37°C in a 5% CO2
atmosphere.
Benzofuran hydrazones were solved in MeOH/DMSO 10% to obtain 20 mM stock solutions and diluted
before cell treatment in MeOH. All the compounds were added at serial dilutions to the cell cultures and
incubated for 7 days. After 3 days, cells were suspended in physiological solution and counted with a Z2
Coulter Counter (Coulter Electronics, Hialeah, FL, USA). The cell number/ml was determined as IC50
(concentration producing 50% growth inhibition) when untreated cells are in log phase of cell growth.
Untreated cells were placed in every plate as negative control.
5.3.6. Erythroid differentiation on K562 cell line
After 5 days differentiation was assayed by cell benzidine-staining, utilizing solutions containing 0.2%
benzidine in 5 M glacial acetic acid, 10% H2O2 as previously described [46].
Aknowledgment
This work was supported by University of Ferrara (Grant FAR 2017 to SM, SV and IL), Ambrosialab srl
(Ferrara, Italy) and by University of Cagliari (Grant FIR 2017 to GB and VO).
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