Pregnancy and Maternity at Workplace, a Qualitative Study to Know the Employers Perspective.

The twentieth century witnessed women expanding the range of possibilities for their gender; by participating as professionals in different fields and by actively dissolving the boundaries of the traditionally held gender roles and they continue to work even during the most crucial phase of their life, that is pregnancy. Discussing the factors related with women's career progress, the negative aspects were found to be domination of men in senior executive positions, discrimination against women, and gender stereotyping. The main objective of this study was to take point of view of employers regarding pregnancy at workplace, their concerns and challenges and how they place themselves in the whole scenario of changing environment for a worker.METHODSA qualitative study design was adopted by conducting semi-structured interviews for which a guideline was developed beforehand. In depth interviews were conducted with the employers at different levels in different organizations of Lahore.RESULTSClassical content analysis of interviews revealed that employers display unfavourable attitude towards the employment of childbearing age group women in the first place and pregnancy at workplace is not a welcoming event at all. All this negative attitude is due to the cost and HR issues raised by the absences and maternity leave of a pregnant worker. There is a great chaos regarding workload shared by the colleagues in pregnant women’s absence. For maternity leave, cost of hiring a new person and training are the issues raised by the employers especially in small organizations.CONCLUSIONSThere is a great need to give awareness to workers as well as management regarding laws and regulations about maternity at workplace.

Biological activity of synthesized 5-{1-[(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl]piperidin-4-yl}-2-mercapto-1, 3, 4-oxadiazole derivatives demonstrated by in silico and BSA binding studies

We synthesized a series of compounds bearing pharmacologically important 1,3,4-oxadiazole and piperidine moieties. Spectral data analysis by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, IR and EI-MS was used to elucidate the structures of the synthesized molecules. Docking studies explained the different types of interaction of the compounds with amino acids, while bovine serum albumin (BSA) binding interactions showed their pharmacological effectiveness. Antibacterial screening of these compounds demonstrated moderate to strong activity against Salmonella typhi and Bacillus subtilis but only weak to moderate activity against the other three bacterial strains tested. Seven compounds were the most active members as acetyl cholinesterase inhibitors. All the compounds presented displayed strong inhibitory activity against urease. Compounds 7l, 7m, 7n, 7o, 7p, 7r, 7u, 7v, 7x and 7v were highly active, with respective IC50 values of 2.14±0.003, 0.63±0.001, 2.17±0.006, 1.13±0.003, 1.21±0.005, 6.28±0.003, 2.39±0.005, 2.15±0.002, 2.26±0.003 and 2.14±0.002 µM, compared to thiourea, used as the reference standard (IC50 = 21.25±0.15 µM). These new urease inhibitors could replace existing drugs after their evaluation in comprehensive in vivo studies.

Synthesis of new 2-{2,3-dihydro-1, 4-benzodioxin-6-yl[(4-methylphenyl) sulfonyl]amino}-N-(un/substituted-phenyl)acetamides as α-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and their in silico study

The aim of the present research work was to investigate the enzyme inhibitory potential of some new sulfonamides having benzodioxane and acetamide moieties. The synthesis was started by the reaction of N-2,3-dihydrobenzo[1,4]-dioxin-6-amine (1) with 4-methylbenzenesulfonyl chloride (2) in the presence of 10% aqueous Na2CO3 to yield N-(2,3-dihydrobenzo[1,4]-dioxin-6-yl)-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide (3), which was then reacted with 2-bromo-N-(un/substituted-phenyl)acetamides (6a-l) in DMF and lithium hydride as a base to afford various 2-{2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-6-yl[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]amino}-N-(un/substituted-phenyl)acetamides (7a-l). All the synthesized compounds were characterized by their IR and 1H-NMR spectral data along with CHN analysis data. The enzyme inhibitory activities of these compounds were tested against a-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Most of the compounds exhibited substantial inhibitory activity against yeast a-glucosidase and weak against AChE. The in silico molecular docking results were also consistent with in vitro enzyme inhibition data.

Barriers to exclusive breastfeeding in children under 6 months of age in district kasur

Objectives: The objectives of my study were to identify major factors which prevent mothers to breastfeed their infants in the first six months and to analyze the behavioral constraints to develop a suitable strategy for strengthening the practices of exclusive breastfeeding

Study Design: Descriptive Study

Methodology: The study was conducted on 37 subjects, who were mothers with young children under six months of age and were not breastfeeding their children due to any reason. The study was based on direct interview taken at DHQ Hospital Kasur and BHU Rao Khan Wala in the district Kasur. The interviews lasted for about half an hour with each subject. Subjects who were breastfeeding regularly or who were HIV, Hepatitis and other diseases positive were not included. The interviews were conducted in a separate room with least disturbance. Quantitative data like age was presented by mean and standard deviation while qualitative data education, profession were presented by frequency and percentages. SPSS [version 20] software was used for data analysis

Results: The mean age of infants of group [62.1%] was of 2.2 months ± 0.7 and other group of infants [37.9%] was of mean age 5.2 months +/- 0.6. The mean weight [kg] and standard deviation of the index children at birth was 3.1 [kg] +/- 0.2. Among index infants 37.8% were male infants and 62.2% were female infants. By place of birth of children, 75.6% births took place in a health facility. 32.4% mothers were illiterate. 13.5% mothers were on job. Only 83.7% females had fed colostrum to their infants. 62.1% mothers were those who never fed their infants. 27.0% were those who initially fed their infants for short period of time and then stopped feeding who fed irregularly was 10.8%. Important factor identified was insufficient milk production [65.2%] with significance of p-value = <0.05 and Sickness of mothers and consequently advised by doctor to avoid breastfeeding to their infants, was contributing [52.1%] with significance value p= <0.05 among mothers who never breastfed their infants under six months of age

Conclusion: Inadequate milk production and mothers' sickness were most commonly stated factors

Synthetic N-[[substitutedsulfamoyl]phenyl]acetamides as moderate chymotrypsin inhibitors

A facile method has been implemented for the synthesis of different N-substituted sulfamoylacetamides by reacting 4-acetamidobenzenesulfonyl chloride [1] with different alkyl/aralkyl/aryl amines [2a-q] in basic aqueous media under controlled pH to afford -[[Substitutedsulfamoyl] phenyl]acetamides [3a-q] which were confirmed through spectral analysis like FT-IR, EIMS and [1]H-NMR. Moreover, the synthesized derivatives were screened against alpha-Chymotrypsin. The enzyme inhibitory results revealed that most of the synthesized compounds were found to be moderate enzyme inhibitors

Lonicera quinquelocularis: a rich source of antioxidant for protection against chronic diseases

The purpose of the research work was to examine the in vitro antioxidant activity of the different aqueous and organic fractions of Lonicera quinquelocularis Hardwicke. The methanol extract was dissolved in distilled water and fractioned with n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol, successively. The antioxidant potential of the remaining aqueous and organic fractions was determined by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical [DPPH] scavenging activity, total antioxidant activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power [FRAP] assay, ferric thiocyanate assay and total phenolics method. Among these fractions ethyl acetate fraction displayed the maximum antioxidant activity with IC[50] of [11.13+/-0.12micro g/ml]. It also exhibited the highest total antioxidant activity [0.595+/-0.00], FRAP value [128.2+/-4.54micro g/mL] and total phenolic contents [66.89+/-7.73micro g/g] as compared to other organic fractions. Phytochemical investigation of the above mentioned fractions showed the presence of flavanoids, phenolics, terpenoids, sugars, alkaloids, tannins, saponins and cardiac glycosides in appreciable amounts, which have major contribution towards antioxidant activity

Synthesis and in silico study of 2-furyl(4-{4-[(substituted)sulfonyl]benzyl}-1-piperazinyl)methanone derivatives as suitable therapeutic agents

Abstract In the study presented here, a new series of 2-furyl(4-{4-[(substituted)sulfonyl]benzyl}-1-piperazinyl)methanone derivatives was targeted. The synthesis was initiated by the treatment of different secondary amines (1a-h) with 4-bromomethylbenzenesulfonyl chloride (2) to obtain various 1-{[4-(bromomethyl)phenyl]sulfonyl}amines (3a-h). 2-Furyl(1-piperazinyl)methanone (2-furoyl-1-piperazine; 4) was then dissolved in acetonitrile, with the addition of K2CO3, and the mixture was refluxed for activation. This activated molecule was further treated with equi-molar amounts of 3a-h to form targeted 2-furyl(4-{4-[(substituted)sulfonyl]benzyl}-1-piperazinyl)methanone derivatives (5a-h) in the same reaction set up. The structure confirmation of all the synthesized compounds was carried out by EI-MS, IR and 1H-NMR spectral analysis. The compounds showed good enzyme inhibitory activity. Compound 5h showed excellent inhibitory effect against acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase with respective IC50 values of 2.91±0.001 and 4.35±0.004 µM, compared to eserine, a reference standard with IC50 values of 0.04±0.0001 and 0.85±0.001 µM, respectively, against these enzymes. All synthesized molecules were active against almost all Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains tested. The cytotoxicity of the molecules was also checked to determine their utility as possible therapeutic agents.

Synthesis, spectral analysis and pharmacological study of N'- substituted-2-(5-((2,4-dimethylphenoxy)methyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-ylthio)acetohydrazides

ABSTRACT A series of molecules bearing multiple functional groups were synthesized to study their antibiotic effect against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and lipoxygenase activity as well. 2,4-Dimethylcarbolic acid (1) was refluxed with ethyl 2-bromoacetate to synthesize ethyl 2-(2,4-dimethylphenoxy)acetate (2). Compound 2 was converted to the corresponding hydrazide 3, again on refluxing with hydrazine. The compound 5-((2,4-dimethylphenoxy)methyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-thiol (4) was synthesized by the reaction of 3 and CS2 in the presence of KOH. Compound 4 was further converted to the corresponding ester 5 and then 2-(5-((2,4-dimethylphenoxy)methyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-ylthio)acetohydrazide (6). The final molecules N'-substituted-2-(5-((2,4-dimethylphenoxy)methyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-ylthio)acetohydrazide, 8a-m, bearing ether, 1,3,4-oxadiazole, thioether, hydrazone and azomethine functional groups were synthesized by stirring the aryl carboxaldehydes 7a-m with 6 in methanol at room temperature. The depicted structures of all synthesized molecules were corroborated by IR, 1H-NMR and EIMS spectral data analysis. 8m and 8i showed substantial antibacterial activity and lipoxygenase inhibitory activity, respectively.

Synthesis and antibacterial screening of S-substituted derivatives of 5-[3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl]-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-thiol

The most emerging class among the heterocyclic compounds is 1,3,4-oxadiazoles for their diverse biological activities. In the present research work, piperonylic acid [1] was converted consecutively into corresponding ester [2], hydrazide [3] and 1,3,4-oxadiazole [4] through intermolecular cyclization. The synthesized compound 4 was subjected further to S-alkylation/aralkylation, using alkyl/aralkyl halides [5a-m] and S-substituted-1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives were synthesized [6a-m]. The structure elucidation of the synthesized molecules was processed through [1]H-NMR, IR and mass spectral data. The antibacterial activity showed these molecules moderately good inhibitors of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria

Synthesis of 2-[[5-phenyl-1,3,4-Oxadiazol-2-yl]sulfanyl]-N-substituted acetamides as potential antimicrobial and hemolytic agents

A new series of N-substituted derivatives of 2-[[5-phenyl-1,3,4-Oxadiazol-2-yl]sulfanyl] acetamides was synthesized. The synthesis was carried out by converting benzoic acid [1] into ethyl benzoate [2], benzohydrazide [3] and then 5-pheny-1,3,4-Oxadiazol-2-thiol [4] step by st0ep. The target compounds 6a-p were synthesized by reaction of compound 4 with equimolar ratios of different N-alkyl/aryl substituted 2-bromoacetamide [5a-p] in the presence of DMF and sodium hydride [NaH]. The spectral [EI-MS, IR, 1H-NMR] characterization of all the synthesized compounds reveal their successful synthesis. The compounds were also screened for antimicrobial and hemolytic activity and most of them were found to be active against the selected microbial species at variable extent relative to reference standards. But 6h was the most active against the selected panel of microbes. This series showed less toxicity and may be considered for further biological screening and application trial except 6m, possessing higher cytotoxicity

effect of two weeks preoperative finasteride therapy in reducing prostate vascularity

Objective: To determine the effect of two weeks preoperative finasteride therapy in reducing prostate vascularity in terms of mean microvessel density [MVD] and expression of VEGF in prostate urothelium among patients of BPH by comparing with controls. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial. Place and Duration of Study: Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, from January 2013 to January 2014

Methodology: A total of 80 patients of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia [BPH] planned for Trans-Urethral Resection of Prostate [TURP] having prostate size of more than 40 grams on trans-abdominal ultrasonography was randomized into two groups, each group having 40 patients. The finasteride group [Group A] was prescribed oral 5 mg of finasteride daily for 2 weeks before surgery. The control group [Group B] did not receive any agent. After 2 weeks, TURP was performed and prostate samples were sent for histopathological determination of MVD and expression of VEGF

Results: The mean age of patients was 66.21 +/- 10.08 years, ranging from 48 to 86 years. The mean prostate gland size was comparable in both groups [55 +/- 10.7 vs. 58.1 +/- 10.8 grams, p=0.21]. Mean MVD in finasteride group [20.25 +/- 10.3] was significantly lower as compared to control group [48.9 +/- 22.6, p < 0.001]. Similarly expression of VEGF was also significantly lower in finasteride group [30%] as compared to control group [65%] [p= 0.0017]. Mean MVD had a significant weak correlation with the size of prostate gland on Pearson correlation test [2-tailed] with r = 0.222

Conclusion: Finasteride reduces microvessel density and hence prostate vascularity with only 2-week therapy and the mean MVD is clearly correlated with size of prostate

Synthesis, spectral analysis and antibacterial evaluation of N'- substituted-2-[5-[3-chlorophenyl]-1,3,4-Oxadiazol-2- ylthio]acetohydrazide derivatives

The biological potential of N'-substituted-2-[5-[3-chlorophenyl]-1,3,4-Oxadiazol-2-ylthio]acetohydrazide [8ap] has been evaluated against bacterial strains of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The multistep synthesis involved the conversion of 3-chlorobenzoic acid [1] to ethyl 3-chlorobenzoate [2], 3-chlorobenzohydrazide [3], 5-[3- chlorophenyl]-1,3,4-Oxadiazol-2-thiol [4], ethyl 2-[5-[3-chlorophenyl]-1,3,4-Oxadiazol-2-ylthio] acetate [5] and 2-[5-[3- chlorophenyl]-1,3,4-Oxadiazol-2-ylthio]acetohydrazide [6]. The last step involved the reaction of 6 and aryl aldehydes, 7a-p, in methanol to synthesize the Schiff bases, 8a-p, with better yields. The structures of all the molecules were corroborated by spectral analysis. The Schiff bases were further evaluated for the antibacterial activity and found to be moderately good inhibitors of bacterial strains of Gram-bacteria

Sexual health among young sexually active females with vaginal candidiasis

Background: sexual health among females in a low middle income country like Pakistan substantially affects quality of life. Vaginal Candidiasis is a common infection found among the females leading to discomfort and pain during the sexual intercourse

Objective: to determine the sexual health, among young sexually active females with vaginal candidiasis

Methodology: it was a cross sectional study conducted in Nawaz Sharif Social Security Teaching Hospital, Lahore from 1[st] January to 31[st] December 2015. Two hundred sexually active married females between 16 - 22 years of age were selected by non- probability convenience sampling after obtaining their informed verbal consent. Three groups of study subjects were selected, Group A, Candida Positive, Group B, Candida negative and Group C with Vaginitis due to other cause. Complaints which were recorded and analyzed were dyspareunia, itching, vaginal discharge and vulvar soreness. Data through a pretested questionnaire was collected, entered in and analyzed by Statistical Package for Social sciences [SPSS] version 16

Results: in group A, 54% have dyspareunia, in group B, 17% were having dyspareunia and in Group C, 29% have dyspareunia. Growth of candida and oral contraceptive use was significantly associated with dyspareunia. [p<0.05]

Conclusion: this study showed that candida infection affects sexual health and is the major factor that hinders sexual intercourse due to dyspareunia. Use of oral contraceptives is an associated contributing factor in dyspareunia due to recurrent candidiasis

Frequency of metabolic syndrome and its components in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome

Objective: To determine the frequency of metabolic syndrome and its components in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome

Study Design: Case-series

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Neurology, Mayo Hospital, Lahore, from January to June 2012

Methodology: Seventy-five [64 females and 11 males] patients with clinically diagnosed and electrodiagnostically confirmed carpal tunnel syndrome were inducted. Their waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, fasting triglycerides and high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were recorded. Patients were categorized having metabolic syndrome according to Adult Treatment Panel III criteria, if any 3 were present out of hypertension, elevated fasting triglycerides, reduced high density lipoprotein cholesterol, elevated fasting blood glucose, and elevated waist circumference

Results: Mean age of the patients was 42.04 +/- 9.31 years, mean waist circumference was 95.32 +/- 9.03 cm, mean systolic blood pressure was 134.13 +/- 13.72 mmHg, mean diastolic blood pressure was 89.13 +/- 8.83 mmHg, mean fasting blood glucose was 94.35 +/- 21.81 mg/dl, mean fasting triglycerides was 177.48 +/- 48.69 mg/dl, and mean high density lipoprotein cholesterol was 41.95 +/- 11.17 mg/dl. Metabolic syndrome was found in 54 [72%] patients including 9 [16.7%] males and 45 [83.3%] females. Out of 75 patients, 54 [72%] had elevated waist circumference, 52 [69.3%] had elevated blood pressure, 19 [25.3%] had elevated fasting blood glucose, 53 [70.6%] had elevated fasting triglycerides and 54 [72%] had reduced high density lipoprotein cholesterol. Highest frequency of metabolic syndrome was found in age range of 40 - 49 years in both genders

Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome is frequently found in the patients with carpal tunnel syndrome

Synthesis, spectral analysis and biological evaluation of Nalkyl/ aralkyl/aryl-4-chlorobenzenesulfonamide derivatives

New potent organic compounds were synthesized with an aim of good biological activities such as antibacterial and anti-enzymatic. Three series of sulfonamide derivatives were synthesized by treating N-alkyl/aryl substituted amines [2a-f] with 4-chlorobenzensulfonyl chloride [1] to yield N-alkyl/aryl-4-chlorobenzenesulfonamide[3af] that was then derivatized by gearing up with ethyl iodide [4], benzyl chloride [5] and 4-chlorobenzyl chloride [6] using sodium hydride as base to initialize the reaction in a polar aprotic solvent [DMF] to synthesize the derivatives, 7a-f, 8afand 9a-f respectively. Structure elucidation was brought about by IR, 1H-NMR and EIMS spectra for all the synthesized molecules which were evaluated for their antibacterial activities and inhibitory potentials for certain enzymes

Knowledge, skill and attitude of community midwives regarding intrauterine devices for family planning in Lahore

Objective: Study was designed to assess the knowledge, skill and attitude of community midwives before and after three days training workshop on the subject insertion of intrauterine device, as a tool for family planning

Study Design: Observational / descriptive study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at Community Medicine, Sharif Medical and Dental College, Jati Umra, Lahore and Department of Public Health, The University of Lahore from January 2015 to June 2015

Materials and Methods: An intervention study was conducted by collecting data from designing structured questionnaire which was answered by the midwives taking part in the training to evaluate their basic knowledge, skill and attitude towards use of intrauterine devices. This study was based on three phases. 1] assessment 2] intervention 3] evaluation. Thirty community midwives in the community based maternity homes of Lahore was selected as subjects. Data through a pretested questionnaire was collected and analyzed by statistical package for social sciences [SPSS]

Results: 50-70% of community midwives had the basic knowledge of IUD, insertion skill and its benefits, before going through the training. After the training, knowledge of IUD, its insertion skill and advice to women increased up to 85-100% among the participants. Results clearly show that the knowledge of the community midwives regarding use of IUDs use as a family planning tool was minimal and increased after getting the training

Conclusion: Study finding suggested that training is essential for the community midwives for improving their knowledge, technical skill for insertion of IUD, and aptitude for counseling to the families upon follow up visits

Frequency of healthy overweight adult females in a cluster

Objective: To find out the frequency of healthy overweight / obese females as determined by body mass index in a cluster

Study Design: Descriptive / cross sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Out-Patient Department of CMH Landi Kotal hospital from 1[st] Jan 2016 to 30[th] June 2016

Materials and Methods: non-probability convenience sampling between 18-24 years of age was taken. They were subject to anthropometric and body mass index measurements. Blood pressure and resting heart rate were taken. Further data was collected by a questionnaire, based on socio-demography, physical activity, self- perception of body weight and health status. Informed consent was taken prior conducting the study

Results: Among 500 females, mean age was 19 +/- 1 year, and age range was 18 to 24 years. 436 cases belonged to rural areas and 64 cases belonged to urban areas. 104 individuals [20.8%], belonged to group 1; 320 [64%] individuals belonged to group 2; 60 [12%] individuals belonged to group 3; 16 [3.2%] individuals belonged to group 4. Blood pressure and pulse rate were recorded under standard conditions in all groups [Table 1]. None of the individuals had irregular pulse. All females responded to the pre-tested questionnaire. According to the collected data, 89% knew that overweight was related to diseases. About losing weight; 18% individuals replied as dieting, 22% individuals replied as exercise, 54% individuals replied both dieting and exercise and 6% individuals did not know the way to lose weight

Conclusion: Frequency of overweight / obesity was 15% among healthy adult females. Health awareness campaigns to deliver the message for healthy eating habits, regular exercise and maintaining ideal weight will be extremely helpful in controlling the obesity in the community

Needle stick injuries: knowledge, attitude, practices [KAP] and frequency of hepatitis B and C among nursing students in Karachi

Objective: The objectives were to determine the Knowledge, Attitude, Practices regarding needle stick injuries [NSI] and frequency of Hepatitis B and C among nursing students at two tertiary care hospitals of Karachi

Study Design: Cross-sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Medicine, DMC, JPMC and Hilton Pharma, Karachi from January 2014 to June 2014

Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on NSI exposed 214 nursing students from 1[st] year to 4[th] year, visiting their respective hospitals and engaging in clinical activities. A hundred of those students who reported needle stick injuries randomly selected and screened for Hepatitis B surface antigen [HbsAg] and anti-HCV in sera

Results: Approximately thirty four percent [34%] of the students reported to have NSI one time. Out of the 214 students only 143 [66.8%] of the students were aware of the Universal Precaution Guidelines while 71 [33.2%] were unaware of it. After getting NSI only 18.2% reported it to the infection control team while 81.8% failed to report it. Of the 100 students randomly selected for screening, four tested positive for HbsAg and two tested positive for Anti-HCV

Conclusion: Allowing nursing students to practice without prior knowledge of their immune status poses a major risk of acquiring hazardous infections. Prior to practice, students should be ingrained with the universal precaution guidelines and screened for blood borne infections that should be followed up every year

Synthesis, biological screening and molecular docking studies of some ethylated sulfonamides having 1,4-Benzodioxane moiety

The presented study comprises the synthesis of a new series of ethylated sulfonamides in which 1,4- benzodioxane moietyhas been incorporated. The reaction of 1,4-benzodioxane-6-amine [1] with ethane sulfonyl chloride [2] yielded N-[2,3-dihydrobenzo[1,4]dioxin-6-yl] ethanesulfonamide [3], which further on treatment with various alkyl/aralkyl halides, 4a-r, in N,N-dimethylformamide [DMF] and in the presence of lithium hydride [LiH] acting as a weak base and catalyst;yielded derivativesofN-alkyl/aralkyl substituted N-[2,3-dihydrobenzo [1,4] dioxin-6- yl] ethanesulfonamides [5a-r]. The characterization of these derivatives was carried out by different spectroscopic techniques like infra red, proton-NMR and mass spectrometry; then screened against various enzymes i.e. acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, lipoxygenase and alpha-glucosidase enzymes and five different bacterial strains. The synthesized compounds were found to be good inhibitors of lipoxygenase but moderate inhibitors of AChE, BChE and alpha-glucosidase; whereas compounds 3, 5a, 5f, 5n and 5r were found good antibacterial compounds. The interaction between inhibitors and target enzymes [cholinestrases and lipoxygenase] was computationally observed which correlated with the experimental results

Synthesis and screening of some new N-alkyl/aralkyl-N-[3,4-methylenedioxybenzyl]-4-substituted benzenesulfonamides as potential antibacterial agents

The various p-substituted benzenesulfonyl chlorides [2a-e] were treated with [3,4-methylenedioxy] benzylamine [1] in the presence of aqueous Na2CO3 solution to synthesize N-[3,4-methylenedioxybenzyl]-4-substitutedbenzenesulfonamides [3a-e]. The synthesized molecules were further converted into corresponding Nethyl/benzyl/4-flourobenzyl-N-[3,4-methylenedioxybenzyl]-4-substitutedbenzenesulfonamides [7a-e, 8a-e, 9a-e] on reaction with ethyl iodide [4], benzyl chloride [5] and 4-flourobenzyl chloride [6] in the presence of sodium hydride using N,N-dimethylformamide as solvent. The structure elucidation was processed through different spectral techniques including IR, [1]H-NMR and EIMS. The screening of the synthesized molecules against Gram-bacterial strains, to evaluate antibacterial activity, showed them moderately good inhibitors as shown by their low MIC values