Biological Profile of Ferulic Acid-Based Thiazolidin-4-One Derivatives: Toxicity, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress...

Since inflammation is a fundamental process involved in tissue injury and repair, the evaluation of the anti-inflammatory potential of novel compounds is of considerable importance. Acute toxicity evaluation in Swiss albino mice revealed that the synthesized thiazolidin-4-one derivatives of ferulic acid possess moderate toxicity. The in vivo biological activity of synthesized thiazolidin-4-one derivatives (1a-j) was assessed through a model of acute inflammation induced by carrageenan in rats and in a chronic inflammation model induced in rats using the granuloma test. The compounds exhibited significant anti-inflammatory effects, with maximum activity observed 24 h after administration, suggesting a prolonged duration of action. In the acute inflammation model, compound 1g exhibited the highest anti-inflammatory activity, achieving 97.43% inhibition of inflammatory edema after 24 h. In the chronic inflammation model, all derivatives reduced granulation tissue formation, indicating inhibition of the proliferative component of inflammation, with compound 1e showing the highest inhibition (79.85%). Safety evaluation was complemented by biochemical and hematological investigations performed on blood samples collected from the experimental animals. Hepatic function was assessed by measuring serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), together with renal and hematological parameters, revealing no significant toxicity. In addition, biochemical analysis of liver homogenates demonstrated modulation of oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities, indicating that the investigated thiazolidin-4-one derivatives do not induce marked oxidative imbalance under the experimental conditions. Overall, compound 1g emerged as the most promising derivative based on its balanced anti-inflammatory efficacy and favorable oxidative stress profile.