Novel 4-nitroimidazole analogues: synthesis, in vitro biological evaluation, in silico studies, and molecular dynamics simulation

Z Naturforsch C J Biosci. 2024 Apr 8;79(3-4):61-71. doi: 10.1515/znc-2023-0146. Print 2024 Mar 25.

Abstract

A new series of 4-nitroimidazole bearing aryl piperazines 7-16, tetrazole 17 and 1,3,4-thiadiazole 18 derivatives was synthesized. All derivatives were screened for their anticancer activity against eight diverse human cancer cell lines (Capan-1, HCT-116, LN229, NCI-H460, DND-41, HL-60, K562, and Z138). Compound 17 proved the most potent compound of the series inhibiting proliferation of most of the selected human cancer cell lines with IC50 values in the low micromolar range. In addition, compound 11 exhibited IC50 values ranging 8.60-64.0 μM against a selection of cancer cell lines. These findings suggest that derivative 17 can potentially be a new lead compound for further development of novel antiproliferative agents. Additionally, 17-18 were assessed for their antibacterial and antituberculosis activity. Derivatives 17 and 18 were the most potent compounds of this series against both Staphylococcus aureus strain Wichita and a methicillin resistant strain of S. aureus (MRSA), as well as against Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain mc26230. The antiviral activity of 7-18 was also evaluated against diverse viruses, but no activity was detected. The docking study of compound 17 with putative protein targets in acute myeloid leukemia had been studied. Furthermore, the molecular dynamics simulation of 17 and 18 had been investigated.

Keywords: 4-nitroimidazoles; biological activity; cytotoxicity; docking study; molecular dynamics simulation.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / chemical synthesis
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Antitubercular Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antitubercular Agents / chemistry
  • Antitubercular Agents / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Humans
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests*
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation*
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / drug effects
  • Nitroimidazoles* / chemical synthesis
  • Nitroimidazoles* / chemistry
  • Nitroimidazoles* / pharmacology
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Thiadiazoles / chemical synthesis
  • Thiadiazoles / chemistry
  • Thiadiazoles / pharmacology

Substances

  • Nitroimidazoles
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • 4-nitroimidazole
  • Thiadiazoles
  • Antitubercular Agents
  • 1,3,4-thiadiazole