Synthesis, In vitro Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activities of Some Novel Bis- 1, 3, 4-oxadiazoles

A series of novel bis-1,3,4-oxadizaoles were synthesized by oxidative cyclisation of respective Schiff bases derived from dicarbohydrazide using ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) as catalyst. The synthesized compounds were screened for in vitro antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 87), Escherichia coli (MTCC 46) and antifungal activity against Candida albicans (NCIM 3471) by two fold serial tube dilution method. The compounds were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxicity activity against human lung carcinoma cells (A-549) by standard MTT assay method. The DNA cleavage analysis of three compounds (4b, 4g and 4j) was also performed.