Synthesis and Antifungal Activity Evaluation of Phloeodictine Analogues

J Nat Prod. 2021 Aug 27;84(8):2129-2137. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c00116. Epub 2021 Jul 20.

Abstract

The phloeodictine-based 6-hydroxy-2,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrimidinium structural moiety with an n-tetradecyl side chain at C-6 has been demonstrated to be a new antifungal template. Thirty-four new synthetic analogues with modifications of the bicyclic tetrahydropyrrolopyrimidinium skeleton and the N-1 side chain have been prepared and evaluated for in vitro antifungal activities against the clinically important fungal pathogens including Cryptococcus neoformans ATCC 90113, Candida albicans ATCC 90028, Candida glabrata ATCC 90030, Candida krusei ATCC 6258, and Aspergillus fumigatus ATCC 90906. Nineteen compounds (5, 21-31, 34-38, 44, and 48) showed antifungal activities against the aforementioned five fungal pathogens with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) in the range 0.88-10 μM, and all were fungicidal with minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) similar to the respective MIC values. Compounds 24, 36, and 48 were especially active against C. neoformans ATCC 90113 with MIC/MFC values of 1.0/1.0, 1.6/1.6, and 1.3/2.0 μM but exhibited low cytotoxicity with an IC50 > 40 μM against the mammalian Vero cells. The structure and antifungal activity relationship indicates that synthetic modifications of the phloeodictines can afford analogues with potent antifungal activity and reduced cytotoxicity, necessitating further preclinical studies of this new class of antifungal compounds.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antifungal Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Aspergillus fumigatus / drug effects
  • Candida / drug effects
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / drug effects
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Molecular Structure
  • Pyridinium Compounds / chemical synthesis
  • Pyridinium Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Vero Cells

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Pyridinium Compounds