Synthesis, in vitro biological evaluation and in silico molecular docking studies of novel β-lactam-anthraquinone hybrids

Bioorg Chem. 2020 Jan:95:103515. doi: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2019.103515. Epub 2019 Dec 17.

Abstract

Schiff bases from 2-aminoanthraquinone have been prepared by reaction with aldehydes and used to prepare novel β-lactam-anthraquinone hybrids via [2+2] ketene-imine cycloaddition (Staudinger reaction) reaction. In vitro antibacterial studies of all synthesized compound were carried out against three gram-positive strains Staphylococcus aureus (Methicillin-resistant strain), Enterococcus faecium (Vancomycin-resistant strain) and Bacillus subtilis, and two gram-negative strains Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These compounds were further evaluated for their in vitro antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Hybrid compounds showed moderate to excellent antibacterial and antifungal activities. Surprisingly, among the tested compounds, some of them revealed equal antibacterial and antifungal properties and even better than standards. In addition, results demonstrated that the new hybrids are very promising antibacterial agents against resistant strains. Also molecular docking studies were carried out by Autodoc software. Penicillin-binding protein 2a (PDB ID: 1VQQ) from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain used as a target which good binding interactions were observed.

Keywords: Anthraquinone; Biological activity; Hybrid compounds; Molecular docking; β-Lactam.

MeSH terms

  • Anthraquinones / chemistry
  • Anthraquinones / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antifungal Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antifungal Agents / chemistry
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Arthrodermataceae / drug effects
  • Aspergillus niger / drug effects
  • Candida albicans / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / drug effects
  • Molecular Docking Simulation*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • beta-Lactams / chemistry
  • beta-Lactams / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Anthraquinones
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antifungal Agents
  • beta-Lactams

Supplementary concepts

  • Trichophyton mentagrophytes