Synthesis, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of bis(indolyl)methanes

A series of bis(indolyl)methanes have been synthesized by stirring a mixture of indole and aldehydes in methanol:water (1:1 v/v) containing catalytic amount of sodium bisulphite at RT. Acute toxicity, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and ulcerogenic activities of the prepared bis(indolyl)methanes are evaluated in vivo in comparison to standard drugs (ibuprofen and indomethacin). In acute toxicity study, no mortality is observed in the tested compounds and compound 3c is found to be safe. All the tested compounds show significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity without an ulcerogenic activity. The most active compounds of this series are 3c and 3d.