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Fourteen mono- and bis-carbohydrazone ligands have been synthesized and characterized. Antioxidant activity of the substances was investigated together with possible (E)/(Z) isomerization, and explained on the most active antioxidant compound 4 in various dimethyl sulphoxide–water mixtures. The addition of water to the system was involved in the formation of hydrated molecules which was confirmed in NMR after the addition of D2O. The ligands were tested in vitro against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi, and their activity was discussed in relation to the structure of investigated carbohydrazone. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 172013]

Phenotypic screening of α-substituted thiocarbohydrazones revealed promising activity of 1,5-bis(salicylidene)thiocarbohydrazide against leukemia and breast cancer cells. Supplementary cell-based studies indicated an impairment of DNA replication via the ROS-independent pathway. The structural similarity of α-substituted thiocarbohydrazone to previously published thiosemicarbazone catalytic inhibitors targeting the ATP-binding site of human DNA topoisomerase IIα prompted us to investigate the inhibition activity on this target. Thiocarbohydrazone acted as a catalytic inhibitor and did not intercalate the DNA molecule, which validated their engagement with this cancer target. A comprehensive computational assessment of molecular recognition for a selected thiosemicarbazone and thiocarbohydrazone provided useful information for further optimization of this discovered lead compound for chemotherapeutic anticancer drug discovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]