Design and synthesis of new 8-anilide theophylline derivatives as bronchodilators and antibacterial agents

Arch Pharm Res. 2012 Aug;35(8):1355-68. doi: 10.1007/s12272-012-0805-4. Epub 2012 Sep 1.

Abstract

Theophylline derivatives have long been recognized as potent bronchodilators for the relief of acute asthma. Recently, it was found that bacterial infection has a role in asthma pathogenesis. The present work involves the design and synthesis of 8-substituted theophylline derivatives as bronchodilators and antibacterial agents. The chemical structures of these compounds were elucidated by IR, (1)H-NMR, mass spectrometry, and elemental analyses. The bronchodilator activity was evaluated using acetylcholine-induced bronchospasm in guinea pigs, and most of the compounds showed significant anti-bronchoconstrictive activity in comparison with standard aminophylline. In addition, the antibacterial activity of all the target compounds was investigated in vitro against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria using ampicillin as a reference drug. Results showed that some of the tested compounds possessed significant antibacterial activity. A pharmacophore model was computed to obtain useful insight into the essential structural features of bronchodilator activity. A structure activity relationship was also discussed.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Aminophylline / pharmacology
  • Ampicillin / pharmacology
  • Anilides / chemical synthesis
  • Anilides / chemistry
  • Anilides / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Asthma / drug therapy
  • Asthma / physiopathology
  • Bronchial Spasm / drug therapy
  • Bronchial Spasm / pathology
  • Bronchodilator Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Bronchodilator Agents / chemistry
  • Bronchodilator Agents / pharmacology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / drug effects
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Theophylline / analogs & derivatives
  • Theophylline / chemistry
  • Theophylline / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Anilides
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Bronchodilator Agents
  • Aminophylline
  • Ampicillin
  • Theophylline