Synthesis of Different Benzoxazole Derivatives for The Evaluation of Anti-Anxiety/Anti-Depressants

Abstract

Anxiety and depression are among the most prevalent mental health disorders, often co-occurring and presenting significant challenges to current pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions. Existing treatments such as SSRIs and cognitive behavioral therapy are limited by delayed therapeutic effects, variable patient responses, and undesirable side effects, highlighting the urgent need for novel therapeutic agents. Benzoxazole derivatives, due to their heterocyclic structure and ability to interact with biomolecules, offer promising potential as psychoactive compounds. This research focused on the synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of novel benzoxazole derivatives using various synthetic methods, including formylation, cyclization, Suzuki coupling, and nucleophilic substitution reactions. The compounds were characterized through TLC, NMR, IR, and GC-MS analyses to confirm structural integrity and purity. Preclinical studies were conducted using Wistar albino rats, where antidepressant activity was assessed through forced swim and tail suspension tests. Results demonstrated that all synthesized derivatives exhibited significant antidepressant activity, with high-dose derivatives, particularly D2, showing superior efficacy compared to the standard drug, imipramine hydrochloride. These findings suggest that benzoxazole derivatives may represent an effective class of compounds for the treatment of depressive disorders. The study supports further investigation into their mechanism of action and potential clinical application in mental health therapeutics