Salicylanilide esters of N-protected amino acids as novel antimicrobial agents

A series of novel, highly antimicrobial salicylanilide esters of N-protected amino acids were synthesized and characterized. Their in vitro antimicrobial activity against eight fungal strains and Mycobacterium tuberculosis was determined. The compounds had the highest level of activity against Aspergillus fumigatus, Absidia corymbifera and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and these levels were higher than that of the standard drug fluconazole. In addition, three compounds showed interesting antituberculosis activity, with inhibition ranging from 89% to 99%. (S)-4-Chloro-2-(4-trifluoromethylphenylcarbamoyl)-phenyl 2-benzyloxy-carbonylamino-propionate had the highest level of both antifungal and antimycobacterial activity. The structure–activity relationships of the new compounds are discussed.     

Synthesis and evaluation of in vitro antimicrobial activity of novel 2-[2-(aroyl)aroyloxy]methyl-1,3,4-oxadiazoles

Synthetic pathway of the ten novel 2-[2-(aroyl)aroyloxy]methyl-1,3,4-oxadiazoles as new potential antimicrobial agents is illustrated. Intramolecular cyclization of 2-(2-aroylaryloxy) aceto hydrazides to 2-[2-(aroyl)aroyloxy]methyl-1,3,4-oxadiazoles was achieved with triethyl orthoformate in good yields. The compounds were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, mass spectra and by means of CHN analysis. The target compounds were tested for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against representative strains by disc diffusion method and micro dilution methods. Several compounds showed antimicrobial activity comparable with or higher than the standard drugs.     

Antimycobacterial and herbicidal activity of ring-substituted 1-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxanilides

In this study, a series of 22 ring-substituted 1-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxanilides were prepared and characterized. Primary in vitro screening of the synthesized compounds was performed against Mycobacterium marinum, Mycobacterium kansasii and Mycobacterium smegmatis. The compounds were also tested for their activity related to inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport (PET) in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) chloroplasts. Most of tested compounds showed the antimycobacterial activity against the three strains comparable or higher than the standard isoniazid. N-(3-Fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxamide showed the highest biological activity (MIC = 28.4 μmol/L) against M. marinum, N-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxamide showed the highest biological activity (MIC = 14.2 μmol/L) against M. kansasii, and N-(4-bromophenyl)-1-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxamide expressed the highest biological activity (MIC = 46.7 μmol/L) against M. smegmatis. This compound and 1-hydroxy-N-(3-methylphenyl)naphthalene-2-carboxamide were the most active compounds against all three tested strains. The PET inhibition expressed by IC₅₀ value of the most active compound 1-hydroxy-N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)naphthalene-2-carboxamide was 5.3 μmol/L. The most effective compounds demonstrated insignificant toxicity against the human monocytic leukemia THP-1 cell line. For all compounds, structure–activity relationships are discussed.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 5-aryl-4-(5-nitrofuran-2-yl)-pyrimidines as potential anti-bacterial agents

A facile two-step synthetic approach to fluorinated and non-fluorinated 5-aryl-4-(5-nitrofuran-2-yl)-pyrimidines from readily available 5-bromo-4-(furan-2-yl)pyrimidine has been developed. All synthesized compounds were screened in vitro for their antibacterial activities against twelve various bacterial strains. It is demonstrated that some of these compounds exhibited significant antibacterial activities against strains Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Staphylococcus aureus, comparable and even higher with that commercial drug Spectinomycin.     

5-Adamantan thiadiazole-based thiazolidinones as antimicrobial agents. Design,synthesis, molecular docking and evaluation

In continuation of our efforts to develop new compounds with antimicrobial properties we describe design, synthesis, molecular docking study and evaluation of antimicrobial activity of seventeen novel 2-{[5-(adamantan-1-yl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-imino}-5-arylidene-1,3-thiazolidin-4-ones. All compounds showed antibacterial activity against eight Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial species. Twelve out of seventeen compounds were more potent than streptomycin and all compounds exhibited higher potency than ampicillin. Compounds were also tested against three resistant bacterial strains: MRSA, P. aeruginosa and E. coli. The best antibacterial potential against ATCC and resistant strains was observed for compound 8 (2-{[5-(adamantan-1-yl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-imino}-5-(4-nitrobenzylidene)-1,3thiazolidin-4-one). The most sensitive bacterium appeared to be S. typhimirium, followed by B. cereus while L. monocitogenes and M. flavus were the most resistant. Compounds were also tested for their antifungal activity against eight fungal species. All compounds exhibited antifungal activity better than the reference drugs bifonazole and ketokonazole (3-115 times). It was found that compound 8 appeared again to be the most potent. Molecular docking studies on E. coli MurB, MurA as well as C. albicans CYP 51 and dihydrofolate reductase were used for the prediction of mechanism of antibacterial and antifungal activities confirming the experimental results.     

Antimalarial activity of 10-alkyl/aryl esters and -aminoethylethers of artemisinin

A series of n-alkyl/aryl esters were synthesized and their in vitro antiplasmodial activity was measured alongside that of previously synthesized aminoethylethers of artemisinin ozonides against various strains of Plasmodium falciparum. The cytotoxicity against human cell lines was also assessed. The esters were synthesized in a one-step reaction by derivatization on carbon C-10 of dihydroartemisinin. Both classes were active against both the 3D7 and K1 strains of P. falciparum, with all compounds being significantly more potent than artemether against both strains. The majority of compounds possessed potency either comparable or more than artesunate with a high degree of selectivity towards the parasitic cells. The 10α-n-propyl 11 and 10α-benzyl 18 esters were the most potent of all synthesized ozonides, possessing a moderate (∼3-fold) and significant (22- and 12-fold, respectively) potency increases against the 3D7 and K1 strains, respectively, in comparison with artesunate.     

2-Aryl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1,3-benzothiazol-7-ols as a class of antitumor agents selectively active in securin−/− cells

A series of 2-(4-aminophenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1,3-benzothiazol-7-ols have been developed as antitumor agents that showed high selectivity against aneuploid cell lines (vs diploid cell lines). Structure–activity relationship studies showed that a hydroxymethyl group at the 2-position of the phenyl ring increased potency and selectivity. A pyrrolidinyl group at the 4-position of the phenyl ring was comparable to a dimethylamino group. The corresponding 5-aza analogs, 2-(4-aminophenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro[1,3]thiazolo[4,5-c]pyridin-7-ols, retained potency and high level of selectivity against aneuploid cell growth (vs diploid cells). These 5-aza compounds exhibited higher water solubility and higher metabolic stability than the corresponding carba analogs. Compound 19 showed the highest potency against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-361 lines and was selected for further evaluation.     

New derivatives of salicylamides: Preparation and antimicrobial activity against various bacterial species

Three series of salicylanilides, esters of N-phenylsalicylamides and 2-hydroxy-N-[1-(2-hydroxyphenylamino)-1-oxoalkan-2-yl]benzamides, in total thirty target compounds were synthesized and characterized. The compounds were evaluated against seven bacterial and three mycobacterial strains. The antimicrobial activities of some compounds were comparable or higher than the standards ampicillin, ciprofloxacin or isoniazid. Derivatives 3f demonstrated high biological activity against Staphylococcus aureus (?0.03 μmol/L), Mycobacterium marinum (?0.40 μmol/L) and Mycobacterium kansasii (1.58 μmol/L), 3g shows activity against Clostridium perfringens (?0.03 μmol/L) and Bacillus cereus (0.09 μmol/L), 3h against Pasteurella multocida (?0.03 μmol/L) and M. kansasii (?0.43 μmol/L), 3i against methicillin-resistant S. aureus and B. cereus (?0.03 μmol/L). The structure–activity relationships are discussed for all the compounds.     

Synthesis and in vitro antiprotozoal evaluation of substituted phenalenone analogues

A set of derivatives encompassing structural modifications on the privileged phenalenone scaffold were assessed for their antiparasitic activities against the most clinically relevant forms of trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis. Several compounds exhibited leishmanicidal effects at levels comparable or better than the reference drug pentamidine, while the parent phenalenone was shown to have a level of activity against Trypanosoma cruzi comparable to the marketed drug benznidazole.     

Synthesis,antimalarial activity,and cellular toxicity of new arylpyrrolylaminoquinolines

A set of nine new arylpyrrolyl derivatives of 7-chloro-4-aminoquinoline, characterized by different substituents on the phenyl ring or different distance between the pyrrolic nitrogen and the 4-aminoquinoline, has been synthesized and tested for their activity against D-10 (CQ-S) and W-2 (CQ-R) strains of Plasmodium falciparum. All compounds exhibited activity against the CQ-S strain in the low nM range, comparable to that of chloroquine. Some of them were also highly active against the CQ-R strain and not toxic against normal cells. The antimalarial activity of this new class of compounds seems to be related to the inhibition of heme detoxification process of parasites, as in the case of chloroquine.     

Design,synthesis, and structure-activity relationship studies of novel triazole agents with strong antifungal activity against Aspergillus fumigatus

The incidence of invasive fungal infections has dramatically increased for several decades. In order to discover novel antifungal agents with broad spectrum and anti-Aspergillus efficacy, a series of novel triazole derivatives containing 1,2,3-benzotriazin-4-one was designed and synthesized. Most of the compounds exhibited stronger in vitro antifungal activities against tested fungi than fluconazole. Moreover, 6m showed comparable antifungal activity against seven pathogenic strains as voriconazole and albaconazole, especially against Aspergillus fumigatus (MIC = 0.25 μg/ml), and displayed moderate antifungal activity against fluconazole-resistant strains of Candida albicans. A clear SAR study indicated that compounds with groups at the 7-position resulted in novel antifungal triazoles with more effectiveness and a broader-spectrum.     

Anti-infective and herbicidal activity of N-substituted 2-aminobenzothiazoles

In this study, a series of N-substituted 2-aminobenzothiazoles was prepared according to a recently developed method. Twelve compounds were tested for their activity related to the inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport (PET) in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) chloroplasts. Primary in vitro screening of the discussed compounds was also performed against fungal, bacterial and mycobacterial species. The biological activities of some compounds were comparable or higher than the standards phenoxymethylpenicillin or pyrazinamide. The most effective compounds demonstrated insignificant toxicity against the human monocytic leukemia THP-1 cell line. For all compounds, the structure-activity relationships are discussed.     

In vitro activity of salicylamide derivatives against vancomycin-resistant enterococci

A series of 13 salicylamide derivatives was assessed for antibacterial activity against three isolates of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE) and Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 as a quality standard. The minimum inhibitory concentration was determined by the broth microdilution method with subsequent subcultivation of aliquots to assess minimum bactericidal concentration. The growth kinetics was established by the time-kill assay. Ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline and vancomycin were used as the reference antibacterial drugs. Three of the investigated compounds showed strong bacteriostatic activity against VRE (0.199–25?µM) comparable to or more potent than ampicillin and ciprofloxacin. In addition, these compounds were tested for synergistic effect with vancomycin, ciprofloxacin and tetracycline, while 5-chloro-2-hydroxy-N-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]benzamide showed the highest potency as well as synergistic activity with vancomycin against VRE 368. Screening of the cytotoxicity of the most effective compounds was performed using human monocytic leukemia THP-1 cells, and based on LD₅₀ values, it can be stated that the compounds have insignificant toxicity against human cells.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of calycanthaceous alkaloid analogs

Starting from 9-methyl-1,2,3,4,9,9a-hexahydro-4aH-pyrido[2,3-b]indol-4a-ol, or indole-3-acetonitrile, 40 new calycanthaceous alkaloid analogs were synthesized in excellent yields. The prepared compounds were evaluated for biological activity against acetylcholinesterase and a broad range of plant pathogen fungi. The results of bioassays indicated that the majority of tested compounds displayed comparable or better in vitro bioactivity than the positive control. Notably, compounds b8 and b9 showed higher activity against Verticillium dahlia than chlorothalonil, with MIC values of 62.5 and 7.81 µg mL⁻¹, respectively. Compound b3 had a higher activity against Bacillus cereus, with a MIC value of 15.63 µg mL⁻¹. Compounds c2 and c11 revealed potent activity against acetylcholinesterase, with MIC values of 0.01 and 0.1 ng mL⁻¹, respectively. Analysis of the molecular docking modes of c2 and c11 with Torpedo californica acetylcholinesterase indicated a medium strong hydrogen bond interaction between the hydroxyl groups of both the ligands and the phenolic hydroxyl of Try121 at a distance of approximately 2.4 Å. The results obtained in this study will be useful for the further design and structural optimization of calycanthaceous alkaloids as potential agrochemical lead compounds for plant disease control.     

In vitro and in vivo antimalarial evaluation of semi-synthetic derivatives of gomphostenin

A novel series of semi-synthetic gomphostenin derivatives (1–9) were prepared utilizing C-14 hydroxyl group for the first time and studied for their antimalarial properties. In vitro antiplasmodial activity was evaluated against both the chloroquine sensitive and resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Most of the compounds exhibited superior or comparable antiplasmodial activity compared to parent compound, that is, gomphostenin (GN). Based upon in vitro antiplasmodial activity, compounds with IC₅₀ values less than 10 μM were selected for in vivo antiplasmodial evaluation against Plasmodium berghei infection in mice model. GN derivatives 3 and 5 were found to have curative activity with moderate chemosuppression of 65% and 69%, respectively, at the dose level of 150 mg/kg/day.     

The antifungal activity of sulfonylated/carboxylated derivatives of dibenzo-1,4-dioxine-2-acetyloxime may be due to inhibition of lanosterol-14alpha-demethylase

Aryl/alkyl-sulfonyl-, aryl/alkylcarboxyl- and aryl(sulfonyl)carbamyl/thiocarbamyl-derivatives of dibenzo-1,4-dioxine-2-acetyloxime were prepared by reaction of the title compound with sulfonyl halides, sulfonic acid anhydrides, acyl chlorides/carboxylic acids, arylsulfonyl isocyanates, aryl/acyl isocyanates or isothiocyanates. Several of the newly synthesized compounds showed effective in vitro antifungal activity against Aspergillus and Candida spp., some of them showing activities comparable to ketoconazole (with minimum inhibitory concentrations in the range of 1.2-4 microg/mL) against the two Aspergillus strains, but possessing a lower activity as compared to ketoconazole against C. albicans. Of the three investigated strains, best activity was detected against A. flavus. The mechanism of action of these compounds probably involves inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis by interaction with lanosterol-14-alpha-demethylase (CYP51A1), since reduced amounts of ergosterol were found by means of HPLC, in cultures of the sensitive strain A. flavus treated with some of these inhibitors. Thus, the compounds reported here might possess a similar mechanism of action at molecular level with that of the widely used azole antifungals.     

In Vitro antifungal activity of 2-(4-substituted phenyl)-3(2H)-isothiazolones

The in vitro antifungal activity of several N2-phenyl-3(2H)-isothiazolones substituted at C4 of the phenyl moiety with heterocyclic nucleus or groups of different physico-chemical properties against four human pathogenic fungi was determined by broth macrodilution method; results were compared with those obtained with itraconazole and ketoconazole. These isothiazolones showed moderate to high activity against some or all tested strains and in comparison with the reference drugs, 5-chloro-2-(4-nitrophenyl)isothiazol-3-one (1g), 5-chloro-2-phenylisothiazol-3-one (1c), 4-[4-(5-chloro-3-oxo-3H-isothiazol-2-yl)phenyl]-1,4-dihydrotriazol-5-one (1s) and 2-(4-nitrophenyl)isothiazol-3-one (2g) against Aspergillus niger, 5-chloro-2-(4-nitrophenyl)isothiazol-3-one (1g) and 4-[4-(5-chloro-3-oxo-3H-isothiazol-2-yl)phenyl]piperazine-1-carboxamide (1q) against Trichophyton mentagrophytes had comparable activity, compounds 1g and 2g showing higher activity against Microsporum canis. Antifungal activity was favored by the presence of chlorine at C5 of the isothiazolone and/or the presence of nitro group or heterocyclic nucleus at C4 of the phenyl ring and proper hydrophilicity of the molecule.     

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of 12-(substituted aminomethyl) berberrubine derivatives as anti-diabetics

By introducing various amino methyl groups into 12-position of berberrubine, a series of 12-(substituted aminomethyl) berberrubine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their anti-diabetic activity against type 2 diabetes mellitus. The results indicated that most of the prepared compounds exhibited moderate to good anti-diabetic activity, which were comparable to or even better than the berberine, the positive control rosiglitazone and insulin. Especially, compound 3b with an N-methyl piperazine-4-methyl group at C-12, exerted the most powerful anti-diabetic activity.     

Mutants of the white-rot fungus Sporotrichum pulverulentum with increased cellulase and β-d-glucosidase production

This paper reports the isolation of mutants of the white-rot fungus Sporotrichum pulverulentum and the results of a survey of enzymic activity among these mutants. The strains were screened for extracellular cellulase [see 1,4-(1,3;1,4)-β-d-glucan 4-glucanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.4] and β-d-glucosidase (β-d-glucoside glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.21) production in shake flask experiments. Apart from strain 63-2, strains 6, 63, 9, L5, E-1 and UV-18 showed equal or higher endo-1,4-β-d-glucanase (cellulase), filter paper-degrading and β-d-glucosidase activities than S. pulverulentum. The cellulase activity obtained, measured as filter paper activity, was comparable to that reported for Trichoderma reesei QM9414. However, the β-d-glucosidase activity was about six times higher than for the QM9414 strain. The pH and temperature-activity profiles of crude β-d-glucosidase preparations from the various strains were determined and were found to be identical. The thermal stability at pH 4.5 and 40°C was 5 days for all these preparations.     

Synthesis of New 4-Aminoquinolines and Evaluation of Their In Vitro Activity against Chloroquine-Sensitive and Chloroquine-Resistant Plasmodium falciparum

The efficacy of chloroquine, once the drug of choice in the fight against Plasmodium falciparum, is now severely limited due to widespread resistance. Amodiaquine is one of the most potent antimalarial 4-aminoquinolines known and remains effective against chloroquine-resistant parasites, but toxicity issues linked to a quinone-imine metabolite limit its clinical use. In search of new compounds able to retain the antimalarial activity of amodiaquine while circumventing quinone-imine metabolite toxicity, we have synthesized five 4-aminoquinolines that feature rings lacking hydroxyl groups in the side chain of the molecules and are thus incapable of generating toxic quinone-imines. The new compounds displayed high in vitro potency (low nanomolar IC₅₀), markedly superior to chloroquine and comparable to amodiaquine, against chloroquine-sensitive and chloroquine-resistant strains of P. falciparum, accompanied by low toxicity to L6 rat fibroblasts and MRC5 human lung cells, and metabolic stability comparable or higher than that of amodiaquine. Computational studies indicate a unique mode of binding of compound 4 to heme through the HOMO located on a biphenyl moeity, which may partly explain the high antiplasmodial activity observed for this compound.