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A series of novel 5-(4-substituted phenylazo)-1-carboxymethyl-3-cyano-6-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-pyridones had been synthesized and characterized. The study includes spectral determination of the possible tautomeric forms and the intramolecular hydrogen bonding pattern. The influence of the bifurcated intramolecular hydrogen bond on the spectral properties has been discussed. The dyes exist in hydrazone form both solid state and in most of the employed solvents. Equilibrium between hydrazone and anion forms has been studied in N,N-dimethylformamide and N,N-dimethylacetamide. For quantitative elucidation of solvent effects on UV–Vis absorption maxima, a linear solvation energy relationship concept has been employed using Kamlet-Taft's and Catalan's equations. Antioxidative activity of the synthesized dyes has been chemically tested and two derivatives (hydroxy and methoxy) are qualified as promising antioxidant molecules.

Series of twenty-four 2-pyridone derivatives were screened and selected using the antioxidant ABTS assay in order to find the most prominent compounds for further in vitro and in silico analyses. Seven derivatives with the highest antioxidant activities were selected and evaluated by β-carotene bleaching assay, where all of the compounds exhibited better activities than standard antioxidant substance, vitamin C. Furthermore, seven selected 2-pyridones exhibited significant anti-neuroinflammatory activity by reducing the production of pro-inflammatory mediators (ROS, NO, IL-6, and TNF-α) by LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. Moreover, neuroprotective activity in microglia supernatant transfer model system on SH-SY5Y neuronal cells has been observed. Anti-neuroinflammatory mechanisms of selected 2-pyridones have been investigated by molecular docking studies of the TLR4 signaling pathway proteins as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase. The present study suggests that selected 2-pyridone derivatives can alleviate neuroinflammation in microglial cells and protect the surrounding neuronal cells from damage, which qualifies them for further investigations towards neurodegenerative diseases associated with inflammation.

The discovery of novel biodegradable biomaterials able to support and control cellular activity as well as development of an enhanced and efficient method for their fabrication, are of paramount importance in the field of tissue engineering. This study highlights the design of novel degradable hydrogels based on gelatin and hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylates using the innovative combined two-step sequential microwave-assisted and UV photo-polymerization technique. Chemical composition, morphology, swelling capacity and degradation rate of the synthesized hydrogels were evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), swelling and weight loss measurements. As an initial step for evaluation of performance of the hydrogels in the biological environment, the in vitro biocompatibility of these hydrogels, was evaluated using L929 mouse fibroblasts. Obtained results demonstrated that the hydrogels possess a porous morphology with interconnected pores, 50% in vitro degradation after 7 months, and satisfied biocompatibility on L929 fibroblast cells. These unique performances of the hydrogels make them promising candidates for in vivo evaluation in clinical studies aiming at tissue regeneration.