Synthesis of new curcuminoid derivatives with potential antioxidant and hypoglycemic properties

Curcumin is the principal constituent of turmeric i.e., the ground rhizomes of Curcuma longa. This compound has been used to therapeutic or protective effects against a variety of diseases such as cancer, lung, neurological, liver, metabolic, autoimmune, cardiovascular and numerous other chronic diseases. For this reason, curcumin is considered a nutraceutical that present some disadvantages such as its insolubility and stability in water. Recent studies with diabetic rats suggest that substitution of the central position on the b-diketone chain leads to curcuminoid derivatives that potentiate the effects of curcumin, improving the fasting glucose and the endothelial function on type 2 diabetes.

Therefore, this work aims to synthesize curcuminoid derivatives where several modifications have been introduced to the curcumin structure, such as the introduction of different groups in the b-diketone chain, the exchange of substituting groups in the aromatic rings or the formation of monocurcuminoids. The principal synthetic pathway is presented and the products were characterized by the usual spectroscopic and X-ray techniques. Solubility tests in aqueous media and the antioxidant activity of the curcuminoid derivatives were also performed.