Novel hydroxyl tricyclics (e.g., GSK966587) as potent inhibitors of bacterial type IIA topoisomerases

During the course of our research to find novel mode of action antibacterials, we discovered a series of hydroxyl tricyclic compounds that showed good potency against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. These compounds inhibit bacterial type IIA topoisomerases. Herein we will discuss structure–activity relationships in this series and report advanced studies on compound 1 (GSK966587) which demonstrates good PK and in vivo efficacy properties. X-ray crystallographic studies were used to provide insight into the structural basis for the difference in antibacterial potency between enantiomers.     

DNA binding ligands targeting drug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria. Part 2: C-terminal benzimidazoles and derivatives

The synthesis and in vitro potency of DNA minor-groove binding antibacterials lacking the C-terminal amide bond are described. The crescent shaped molecules bear the positively charged amino group at an internal pyrrole unit instead of the C-terminus. Three structural parameters were investigated: the N-terminal unit, the internal amino group, and the C-terminal ring system. Several compounds demonstrated good in vitro potency against various Gram-positive bacteria and some molecules were moderately active against Escherichia coli, a representative Gram-negative strain.     

Synthesis and activity of new macrolones: conjugates between 6(7)-(2'-aminoethyl)-amino-1-cyclopropyl-3-carboxylic acid (2'-hydroxyethyl) amides and 4″-propenoyl-azithromycin

A set of novel macrolones containing the flexible C8 basic linker and quinolone 3-(2'-hydroxyethyl)carboxamido group has been prepared and structurally characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and molecular modeling. The new compounds were evaluated in vitro against a panel of erythromycin-susceptible and erythromycin-resistant Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. Compared to azithromycin, most of the compounds exhibited improved in vitro potency against the key respiratory pathogens.     

Preparation of New Spiropyrazole,Pyrazole and Hydantoin Derivatives and Investigation of Their Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities.

In this study, the synthesis of new spiropyrazoles, pyrazole and hydantoin heterocycles is reported by three component reactions of parabanic acids, hydrazine derivatives, and phenacyl bromides in the presence of triphenylphosphine as a nucleophile and triethylamine as a base in good to high yields (69–91 %). Evaluation of the synthesized compounds revealed a good to excellent antioxidant activities (37.6–96.2 %) using DPPH inhibitory potency. Among these compounds, hydantoin derivatives displayed higher antioxidant activities (93.7–96.2 %) comparing with spiropyrazoles and pyrazoles. The obtained results showed that Cl and Br substituents on the phenyl ring increased antioxidant activities of the related heterocycles. The antibacterial activities of the synthesized compounds were examined against two Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and two Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) bacteria. Among the synthesized heterocycles, 2-[1,3-dimethyl-2,5-dioxo-4-(2-oxo-2-phenylethyl)imidazolidin-4-yl]hydrazine-1-carbothioamide exhibited the excellent antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.     

DNA binding ligands targeting drug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria. Part 1: Internal benzimidazole derivatives

Novel DNA minor-groove binding ligands with a promising antibacterial profile are described. Apart from excellent in vitro potency against multiple Gram-positive bacterial strains such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE), and penicillin-intermediate Streptococcus pneumoniae (PISP), a small subset of compounds was active against Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli).     

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of N-[2-[5-(methylthio)thiophen-2-yl]-2-oxoethyl] and N-[2-[5-(methylthio)thiophen-2-yl]-2-(oxyimino)ethyl]piperazinylquinolone derivatives

A number of N-substituted piperazinylquinolone derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Preliminary results indicated that most compounds tested in this study demonstrated comparable or better activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis than their parent piperazinylquinolones as reference drugs. Among these derivatives, ciprofloxacin derivative 5a, containing N-[2-[5-(methylthio)thiophen-2-yl]-2-oxoethyl] residue, showed significant improvement of potency against staphylococci, maintaining Gram-negative coverage.     

Synthesis and structural-activity relationships of 3-hydroxyquinazoline-2,4-dione antibacterial agents

A series of 3-hydroxyquinazoline-2,4-diones was synthesized and evaluated for antibacterial activity. This series represents a novel addition to the DNA gyrase inhibitor class of antibacterials. Appropriate substitutions onto the core template yielded compounds with excellent potency against E. coli gyrase and significant in vitro Gram-negative and Gram-positive antibacterial activity.     

The influence of halogen substituents on the biological properties of sulfur-containing flavonoids

A series of halogen-substituted tricyclic flavonoids containing a 1,3-dithiol-2-ylium moiety has been synthesized from the corresponding 3-dithiocarbamic flavanones. The influence of halogen substituents on the antibacterial properties of the tricyclic flavonoids has been investigated against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. On going from fluorine to iodine, these compounds exhibit good to excellent inhibitory properties against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. These results suggest that size is the main factor for the change in potency rather than polarity/electronics.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activities of two novel amino sugars derived from chloraloses

The synthesis of 5-amino-5-deoxy-1,2-O-(S)-trichloroethylidene-β-l-arabinofuranose and 6-amino-6-deoxy-1,2-O-(S)-trichloroethylidene-α-d-glucofuranose is described by a simple three- or four-step route. Antibacterial potency of the new compounds was determined using an inhibition zone diameter test. The results show that these compounds have a broad-spectrum activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and Candida albicans.     

Synthesis and structure-activity relationship of 7-(substituted)-aminomethyl-4-quinolone-3-carboxylic acid derivatives

Gram-positive organisms have re-emerged as the major hospital pathogens, which make the unmet medical needs for antibacterial therapy even worse. In searching for potent agents against Gram-positive pathogens, novel 7-(substituted)-aminomethyl-quinolone-3-carboxylic acids were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their antibacterial activities in vitro. Many 7-monoarylaminomethyl derivatives exhibited high potency against Gram-positive organisms compared to reference agents: vancomycin and pazufloxacin. Additionally, a few 7-monoalkylaminomethyl derivatives exhibited good activities against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms.     

Inhibitors of acetyltransferase domain of N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphate-uridyltransferase/glucosamine-1-phosphate-acetyltransferase (GlmU). Part 1: Hit to lead evaluation of a novel arylsulfonamide series

A novel arylsulfonamide-containing series of compounds represented by 1, discovered by highthroughput screening, inhibit the acetyltransferase domain of N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphate-uridyltransferase/glucosamine-1-phosphate-acetyltransferase (GlmU). X-ray structure determination confirmed that inhibitor binds at the site occupied by acetyl-CoA, indicating that series is competitive with this substrate. This letter documents our early hit-to-lead evaluation of the chemical series and some of the findings that led to improvement in in-vitro potency against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial isozymes, exemplified by compound 40.     

A Trisubstituted Benzimidazole Cell Division Inhibitor with Efficacy against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Trisubstituted benzimidazoles have demonstrated potency against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. Previously, a library of novel trisubstituted benzimidazoles was constructed for high throughput screening, and compounds were identified that exhibited potency against M. tuberculosis H37Rv and clinical isolates, and were not toxic to Vero cells. A new series of 2-cyclohexyl-5-acylamino-6-N, N-dimethylaminobenzimidazoles derivatives has been developed based on SAR studies. Screening identified compounds with potency against M. tuberculosis. A lead compound from this series, SB-P17G-A20, was discovered to have an MIC of 0.16 µg/mL and demonstrated efficacy in the TB murine acute model of infection based on the reduction of bacterial load in the lungs and spleen by 1.73±0.24 Log₁₀ CFU and 2.68±Log₁₀ CFU, respectively, when delivered at 50 mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection (IP) twice daily (bid). The activity of SB-P17G-A20 was determined to be concentration dependent and to have excellent stability in mouse and human plasma, and liver microsomes. Together, these studies demonstrate that SB-P17G-A20 has potency against M. tuberculosis clinical strains with varying susceptibility and efficacy in animal models of infection, and that trisubstituted benzimidazoles continue to be a platform for the development of novel inhibitors with efficacy.     

Novel synthetic organic compounds inspired from antifeedant marine alkaloids as potent bacterial biofilm inhibitors

In this paper, we have reported seventeen novel synthetic organic compounds derived from marine bromopyrrole alkaloids, exhibiting potential inhibition of biofilm produced by Gram-positive bacteria. Compound 5f with minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) of 0.39, 0.78 and 3.125 μg/mL against MSSA, MRSA and SE respectively, emerged as promising anti-biofilm lead compounds. In addition, compounds 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5h, 5i and 5j revealed equal potency as that of the standard drug Vancomycin (MBIC = 3.125 μg/mL) against Streptococcus epidermidis. Notably, most of the synthesized compounds displayed better potency than Vancomycin indicating their potential as inhibitors of bacterial biofilm. The cell viability assay for the most active hybrid confirms its anti-virulence properties which need to be further researched.     

New N-substituted 7-aminocephalosporanic acid derivatives as potential agents against Streptococcus pneumoniae. Synthesis and in vitro activity

The synthesis and the antimicrobial properties of a new series of cephalosporinic beta-lactam antibiotics is described. The data reported in the present paper show the potential of this type of substituted cephalosporins as new anti Gram-positive antibiotic drugs. In fact, all compounds tested showed a good in vitro antibacterial activity against the most relevant Gram-positive pathogens including resistant species that currently represent unmet medical need. On the contrary, the new synthesized compounds were found to be completely devoid of any activity on Gram-negative bacteria up to a concentration of the single agent of 128 microg/ml.     

Synthesis and antibacterial activity evaluation of metronidazole–triazole conjugates

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of metronidazole–triazole conjugates are reported. Total 21 hybrid compounds have been synthesized with different substitution pattern on the triazole ring in order to study their influence on the antibacterial activity. These compounds demonstrated potent to weak antibacterial activity against Gram-positive, and Gram-negative bacteria. Six compounds have shown equal or better antibacterial activity against Gram-negative strains than the reference compound.     

Novel dendrimeric lipopeptides with antifungal activity

A series of new cationic lipopeptides containing branched, amphiphilic polar head derived from (Lys)Lys(Lys) dendron and C(8) or C(12) chain at C-end were designed, synthesized and characterized. Antimicrobial in vitro activity expressed as minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was evaluated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and yeasts from the Candida genus. A significant enhancement of antimicrobial potency along with increased selectivity against Candida reference strains was detected for derivatives with the C(12) residue. Several compounds were characterized by a low hemotoxicity. The antifungal activity of branched lipopeptides is multimodal and concentration dependent. Several compounds, studied in detail, induced potassium leakage from fungal cells, caused morphological alterations of fungal cells and inhibited activity of candidal β(1,3)-glucan synthase.     

Bactericidal properties of human and murine groups I, II, V, X, and XII secreted phospholipases A(2).

Group IIA secreted phospholipase A(2) (sPLA2) is known to display potent Gram-positive bactericidal activity in vitro and in vivo. We have analyzed the bactericidal activity of the full set of recombinant murine and human groups I, II, V, X, and XII sPLA2s on Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. The rank order potency among human sPLA2s against Gram-positive bacteria is group IIA > X > V > XII > IIE > IB, IIF (for murine sPLA2s: IIA > IID > V > IIE > IIC, X > IB, IIF), and only human group XII displays detectable bactericidal activity against the Gram-negative bacterium E. coli. These studies show that highly basic sPLA2s display potent bactericidal activity with the exception of the ability of the acidic human group X sPLA2 to kill Gram-positive bacteria. By studying the Bacillus subtilis and S. aureus bactericidal potencies of a large panel of human group IIA mutants in which basic residues were mutated to acidic residues, it was found that: 1) the overall positive charge of the sPLA2 is the dominant factor in dictating bactericidal potency; 2) basic residues on the putative membrane binding surface of the sPLA2 are modestly more important for bactericidal activity than are other basic residues; 3) relative bactericidal potency tracks well with the ability of these mutants to degrade phospholipids in the bacterial membrane; and 4) exposure of the bacterial membrane of Gram-positive bacteria by disruption of the cell wall dramatically reduces the negative effect of charge reversal mutagenesis on bactericidal potency.     

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of potent NAD+-dependent DNA ligase inhibitors as potential antibacterial agents. Part 2: 4-amino-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-5(8H)-ones

A series of 4-amino-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-5(8H)-ones were designed and synthesized as a novel class of inhibitors of NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligase that possess potency against Gram-positive bacteria.     

Discovery of potent HIV integrase inhibitors active against raltegravir resistant viruses

A series of novel HIV integrase inhibitors active against rategravir resistant strains are reported. Initial SAR studies revealed that activities against wild-type virus were successfully maintained at single digit nanomolar level with a wide range of substitutions. However, inclusion of nitrogen-based cyclic substitutions was crucial for achieving potency against mutant viruses. Several compounds with excellent activities against wild-type virus as well as against the viruses with the mutations Q148H/G140S or N155H/E92Q were reported.     

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of new N-linked 5-triazolylmethyl oxazolidinones

A new series of N-linked 5-triazolylmethyl oxazolidinones with varying substitution at the piperazine nitrogen 4-position were synthesized and tested against a panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including clinical isolates. Most of the compounds showed excellent antibacterial activity against susceptible and resistant Gram-positive organisms. One of the compounds showed enhanced antibacterial activity against Moraxella catarrhalis.