Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Chlorochalcones: An Integrated Computational and Experimental Study

Anita Dwi Puspitasari; Maria Ulfah; Indah Hartati; Rissa Laila Vifta; Faris Hermawan; Munifilia Ekasari; Lala Adetia Marlina

doi:10.22146/ijc.106221

Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Chlorochalcones: An Integrated Computational and Experimental Study

https://doi.org/10.22146/ijc.106221

Anita Dwi Puspitasari^(1*), Maria Ulfah⁽²⁾, Indah Hartati⁽³⁾, Rissa Laila Vifta⁽⁴⁾, Faris Hermawan⁽⁵⁾, Munifilia Ekasari⁽⁶⁾, Lala Adetia Marlina⁽⁷⁾

(1) Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Wahid Hasyim, Semarang 50236, Indonesia
(2) Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Wahid Hasyim, Semarang 50236, Indonesia
(3) Chemical Engineering Study Program, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Wahid Hasyim, Semarang 50236, Indonesia
(4) Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Islam Sultan Agung, Semarang 50112, Indonesia
(5) Research Center for Pharmaceutical Ingredient and Traditional Medicine, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Serpong 15354, Indonesia
(6) Chemistry Study Program, Universitas Jambi, Jambi, 36361 Indonesia
(7) Research Center for Computing, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Bandung 40135, Indonesia
(*) Corresponding Author

Abstract

Chlorochalcone derivatives (chalcones 1–3) were synthesized using ultrasound-assisted Claisen-Schmidt condensation, yielding > 80%. Antioxidant activity was evaluated through DPPH and ABTS assays, demonstrating strong activity with IC₅₀ values ranging from 61.52 ± 0.97 to 98.27 ± 1.42 ppm. Chalcones 1 and 2 show SPF potential at 40 ppm and chalcone 3 at 20 ppm (SPF 19.47 ± 0.46). ADMET analysis using the pkCSM tool confirmed favorable pharmacokinetic profiles and low toxicity, supporting their safety for potential applications. Additionally, density functional theory calculations provided more profound insights into molecular stability and reactivity, including electronic properties such as HOMO-LUMO gaps, further corroborating their pharmacological efficacy. These results collectively indicate that chalcones 1–3 exhibit potent antioxidant activity, adequate UV protection, and promising pharmacokinetic properties. Integrating in vitro, in silico, and DFT analyses underscores their potential as multifunctional compounds for antioxidant and sunscreen applications.

Keywords

chalcone; ultrasound-assisted synthesis; antioxidant; sunscreen; DFT

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.22146/ijc.106221