Synthesis, characterization, molecular modeling, and potential antimicrobial and anticancer activities of novel 2-aminoisoindoline-1,3-dione derivatives

Exploring of N-phthalimide-linked 1,2,3-triazole analogues with promising -anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity: synthesis, biological screening, and molecular modelling studies

In this study, a library of phthalimide Schiff base linked to 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles was designed, synthesised, and characterised by different spectral analyses. All analogues have been introduced for in vitro assay of their antiviral activity against COVID-19 virus using Vero cell as incubator with different concentrations. The data revealed most of these derivatives showed potent cellular anti-COVID-19 activity and prevent viral growth by more than 90% at two different concentrations with no or weak cytotoxic effect on Vero cells. Furthermore, in vitro assay was done against this enzyme for all analogues and the results showed two of them have IC50 data by 90 µM inhibitory activity. An extensive molecular docking simulation was run to analyse their antiviral mechanism that found the proper non-covalent interaction within the Mpro protease enzyme. Finally, we profiled two reversible inhibitors, COOH and F substituted analogues that might be promising drug candidates for further development have been discovered.

An Efficient Synthesis of 1-(1,3-Dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)-3-aryl Urea Analogs as Anticancer and Antioxidant Agents: An Insight into Experimental and In Silico Studies

The present investigation reports the efficient multistep synthesis of 1-(1,3-dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)-3-aryl urea analogs (7a-f) in good yields. All the 1-(1,3-dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)-3-aryl urea analogs (7a-f) were characterized by spectroscopic techniques. Five among the six compounds were tested against 56 cancer cell lines at 10 µM as per the standard protocol. 1-(4-Bromophenyl)-3-(1,3-dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)urea (7c) exhibited moderate but significant anticancer activity against EKVX, CAKI-1, UACC-62, MCF7, LOX IMVI, and ACHN with percentage growth inhibitions (PGIs) of 75.46, 78.52, 80.81, 83.48, 84.52, and 89.61, respectively. Compound 7c was found to exhibit better anticancer activity than thalidomide against non-small cell lung, CNS, melanoma, renal, prostate, and breast cancer cell lines. It was also found to exhibit superior anticancer activity against melanoma cancer compared to imatinib. Among the tested compounds, the 4-bromosubstitution (7c) on the phenyl ring demonstrated good anticancer activity. Docking scores ranging from -6.363 to -7.565 kcal/mol were observed in the docking studies against the molecular target EGFR. The ligand 7c displayed an efficient binding against the EGFR with a docking score of -7.558 kcal/mol and displayed an H-bond interaction with Lys745 and the carbonyl functional group. Compound 7c demonstrated a moderate inhibition of EGFR with an IC50 of 42.91 ± 0.80 nM, in comparison to erlotinib (IC50 = 26.85 ± 0.72 nM), the standard drug. The antioxidant potential was also calculated for the compounds (7a-f), which exhibited good to low activity. 1-(2-Methoxyphenyl)-3-(1,3-dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)urea (7f) and 1-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-3-(1,3-dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)urea (7d) demonstrated significant antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 15.99 ± 0.10 and 16.05 ± 0.15 µM, respectively. The 2- and 4-methoxysubstitutions on the N-phenyl ring showed good antioxidant activity among the series of compounds (7a-f). An in silico ADMET prediction studies showed the compounds' adherence to Lipinski's rule of five: they were free from toxicities, including mutagenicity, cytotoxicity, and immunotoxicity, but not for hepatotoxicity. The toxicity prediction demonstrated LD50 values between 1000 and 5000 mg/Kg, putting the compounds either in class IV or class V toxicity classes. Our findings might create opportunities for more advancements in cancer therapeutics.

Synthesis of N-aminophalimides derived from α-amino acids: Theoretical study to find them as HDAC8 inhibitors by docking simulations and in vitro assays

Phthalimides are valuable for synthesis and biological properties. New acetamides 3(a-c) and 4(a-c) were synthesized and characterized as precursors for novel N-aminophalimides 5(a-c) and 6(a-c). Structures of 4a, 5(a-b), and 6(a-b) were confirmed by single crystal X-ray. Docking studies identified compounds with favorable Gibbs free energy values for binding to histone deacetylase 8 (HDAC8), an enzyme targeted for anticancer drug development. These compounds bound to both the orthosteric and allosteric pockets of HDAC8, similar to Trichostatin A (TSA), an HDAC8 inhibitor. 6(a-c) contain hydroxyacetamide moiety as a zinc-binding group, a phthalimide moiety as a capping group, and aminoacetamide moiety as a linker group, which are important for ligand-receptor binding. ΔG values indicated that compounds 5b, 6b, and 6c had higher affinity for HDAC8 in the allosteric pocket compared to TSA. In vitro evaluation of inhibitory activities on HDAC8 revealed that compounds 3(a-c) and 5(a-c) showed similar inhibitory effects (IC50 ) ranging from 0.445 to 0.751 μM. Compounds 6(a-c) showed better affinity, with 6a (IC50  = 28 nM) and 6b (IC50  = 0.18 μM) showing potent inhibitory effects slightly lower than TSA (IC50  = 26 nM). These findings suggest that the studied compounds hold promise as potential candidates for further biological investigations.

A novel class of phenylpyrazolone-sulphonamides rigid synthetic anticancer molecules selectively inhibit the isoform IX of carbonic anhydrases guided by molecular docking and orbital analyses

All the previously reported phenylpyrazoles as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAIs) were found to have small sizes and high levels of flexibility, and hence showed low selectivity profiles toward a particular isoform of CA. Herein, we report the development of a more rigid ring system bearing a sulfonamide hydrophilic head and a lipophilic tail to develop novel molecules that are suggested to have a better selectivity toward a special CA isoform. Accordingly, three novel sets of pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles attached with sulfonamide head and aryl hydrophobic tail were synthesized to enhance the selectivity toward a specific isoform of human carbonic anhydrases (hCAs). The impact of both attachments on the potency and selectivity has been extensively discussed in terms of in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation under hypoxic conditions, structure-activity relationship and carbonic anhydrase enzyme assay. All of the new candidates displayed good cytotoxic activities against breast and colorectal carcinomas. Results of the carbonic anhydrase enzyme assay demonstrated the preferential of compounds 22, 24 and 27 to inhibit the isoform IX of hCAs selectively. Wound-healing assay has also been performed and revealed the potential of 27 to decrease the wound closure percentage in MCF-7 cells. Molecular docking and molecular orbital analysis have finally been conducted. Results indicate the potential binding interactions of 24 and 27 with several crucial amino acids of the hCA IX.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Discovery of novel VEGFR2-TK inhibitors by phthalimide pharmacophore based virtual screening, molecular docking, MD simulation and DFT

Currently, numerous potent chemotherapeutic agents are available in the market but most of them show poor pharmacokinetics, lethal effects and drug resistance during their enduring use. The increased cancer cases, deaths and need of better treatment stimulates us to give newer lifesaving anticancer drugs. The phthalimide derivatives are structurally diverse and exert potential anticancer activity. In this regard, the 3D QSAR Pharmacophore model was developed and validated using fifty-eight phthalimide derivatives. The validation parameters corroborated the reliability and statistical robustness of CEASER Hypo 1. Three databases-NCI Open, Drug Bank, and Asinex were submitted to ADMET and drug-like filtering; 117893 drug-like compounds were mapped on CEASER Hypo 1; and 362 hits with IC50 <1 µM were discovered. These hits were docked on VEGFR2-TK, and in the form of results fifteen hits exhibited greater affinity than sorafenib. The top lead ASN 03206926 was subjected for MD simulation (100 ns) and RMSD, Rg, RMSF, number of hydrogen bonds, and SASA verified that the complex was stable, rigid and highly compact. Results demonstrated GLU885, PHE918, CYS919, LYS920, HIS1026, CYS1045, ASP1046 are the essential residues for favourable interactions. The binding free energy calculations support the affinity and stability revealed by docking and MD simulation. The DFT calculations, negative binding energy and lower HOMO-LUMO band gap revealed that the process is spontaneous and ASN 03206926 is very reactive. Following extensive analysis we suggest that the ASN 03206926 might be employed as a new VEGFR2-TK inhibitor for the treatment of breast and VEGFR2-TK associated cancers.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Recent Advances in the Development of Thalidomide-Related Compounds as Anticancer Drugs

INTRODUCTION

Thalidomide is an old well-known drug that was first used as morning sickness relief in pregnant women before being withdrawn from the market due to its severe side effects on normal fetal development, However, over the last few decades, the interest in this old drug has been renewed because of its efficacy in several important disorders for instance, multiple myeloma, breast cancer, and HIV-related diseases due to its antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory properties. Unfortunately, even in these cases, many aftereffects as deep vein thrombosis, peripheral neuropathy, constipation, somnolence, pyrexia, pain, and teratogenicity have been reported, showing the requirement of careful and monitored use. For this reason, research efforts are geared toward the synthesis and optimization of new thalidomide analogues lacking in toxic effects to erase these limits and improve the pharmacological profile.

AIMS

This review aims to examine the state-of-the-art concerning the current studies on thalidomide and its analogues towards cancer diseases (with few hints regarding the antimicrobial activity), focusing the attention on the possible mechanisms of action involved and the lack of toxicity.

CONCLUSION

In the light of the collected data, thalidomide analogues and their ongoing optimization could lead, in the future, to the realization of a promising therapeutic alternative for cancer-fighting.

Solvent-Free Mechanochemical Synthesis of High Transition Biphenyltetracarboxydiimide Liquid Crystals

A series of high temperature alkyl and alkoxy biphenyltetracarboxydiimide liquid crystals have been prepared under ball mill method using solvent-free mechanochemical approach. The thermal properties of the prepared compounds were investigated by deferential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements and the textures were identified by polarized optical microscope (POM). The compounds showed smectic mesomorphic behaviour. The results showed the increasing nature of transition temperature Cr-SmC with chain length with increments of the SmC mesophase range. However, the mesophase range of the SmA was decreased with the terminal chain length either for the alkyl or alkoxy terminal groups. Moreover, the DFT theoretical calculations have been conducted give a detailed projection of the structure of the prepared compounds. A conformational investigation of the biphenyl part has been studied. A deep illustration of the experimental mesomorphic behaviour has been discussed in terms of the calculated aspect ratio. A projection of the frontier molecular orbitals as well as molecular electrostatic potential has been studied to show the effect of the polarity of the terminal chains on the level and the gab of the FMOs and the distribution of electrostatic charges on the prepared molecules.

Design of molecular hybrids of phthalimide-triazole agents with potent selective MCF-7/HepG2 cytotoxicity: Synthesis, EGFR inhibitory effect, and metabolic stability

This study reports an efficient and convenient click chemistry synthesis of a novel series of phthalimide scaffold linked to 1,2,3 triazole ring and terminal lipophilic fragments. Structures of newly synthesized compounds were well characterized by different spectroscopic tools. In vitro MTT cytotoxicity assay was performed comparing the cytotoxic effects of newly synthesized compounds to staurosporine using three different types: human liver cancer cell line (HepG2), Michigan cancer foundation-7 (MCF-7) and human colorectal carcinoma cell line (HCT116). The initial screening showed excellent to moderate anticancer activity for these newly synthesized compounds with high degree of cell line selectivity with micromolar (µM) half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values against tumor cells. The SAR analysis of these derivatives confirmed the role of molecular fragments including phthalimide, linker, triazole, and terminal tails in correlation to activity. In addition, enzymatic inhibitory assay against wild type EGFR was performed for the most active compounds to get more details about their mechanism of action. In order to further explore their binding affinities, molecular docking simulation was studied against EGFR site. The results obtained from molecular docking study and those obtained from cytotoxic screening were correlated. One of the most prominent analogs is (6f) with terminal disubstituted ring and amide linker showed selective MCF-7 cytotoxicity profile with IC₅₀ 0.22 µM and 79 nM to EGFR target. Extensive structure activity relationship (SAR) analyses were also carried out. The pharmacokinetic profile of (6f) was studied showing good metabolic stability and long duration behavior. This design offered a potent selective anticancer phthalimide-triazole leads for further optimization in cancer drug discovery.

Design and Synthesis of N-Substituted 3,4-Pyrroledicarboximides as Potential Anti-Inflammatory Agents

In the present paper, we describe the biological activity of the newly designed and synthesized series N-substituted 3,4-pyrroledicarboximides 2a-2p. The compounds 2a-2p were obtained in good yields by one-pot, three-component condensation of pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole scaffold (1a-c) with secondary amines and an excess of formaldehyde solution in C2H5OH. The structural properties of the compounds were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR FT-IR, MS, and elemental analysis. Moreover, single crystal X-ray diffraction has been recorded for compound 2h. The colorimetric inhibitor screening assay was used to obtain their potencies to inhibit COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. According to the results, all of the tested compounds inhibited the activity of COX-1 and COX-2. Theoretical modeling was also applied to describe the binding properties of compounds towards COX-1 and COX-2 cyclooxygenase isoform. The data were supported by QSAR study.

Synthesis of Phthalimide Imine Derivatives as a Potential Anticancer Agent

The outstanding evidence of phthalimide pharmacophore in securing enhanced biological activities had encouraged further research and development into phthalimide-based derivatives as potential new drugs. In this study, phthalimide core was hybridized with aldehydes giving integrated imines displaying different types of functionalities and at alternating positions. The resulting compounds, therefore, provide an innovative window to explore possible differential biological effects as antioxidants and anticancer agents. A total of sixteen compounds were synthesized, and each was verified by FT-IR, H NMR, C NMR, and MS characterization. Herein, a facile single-step synthesis method was employed substituting the conventional two-step chemical production routes. Among the sixteen tested compounds, the H7 compound with hydroxyl phenolic group has shown an eminent antioxidant activity with a 19.52% decrease to the IC50 value compared to that of the control standard BHT antioxidant. On the other hand, the halogenated H6 Schiff base structure was successful in securing effective cancer inhibition to both colon and breast cancer cell lines, while maintaining selective action toward normal tissues. Results have collectively indicated the importance and impactful effects of functional groups position and types within similar basic structures, in directing different biological outcomes.

Antioxidant and Anticancer Activity of Novel Derivatives of 3-[(4-Methoxyphenyl)amino]propane-hydrazide

Series of novel 3-[(4-methoxyphenyl)amino]propanehydrazide derivatives bearing semicarbazide, thiosemicarbazide, thiadiazole, triazolone, triazolethione, thiophenyltriazole, furan, thiophene, naphthalene, pyrrole, isoindoline-1,3-dione, oxindole, etc. moieties were synthesized and their molecular structures were confirmed by IR, ¹H-, ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry data. The antioxidant activity of the synthesized compounds was screened by DPPH radical scavenging method. The antioxidant activity of N-(1,3-dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)-3-((4-methoxyphenyl)amino)propanamide and 3-((4-methoxyphenyl)amino)-N’-(1-(naphthalen-1-yl)-ethylidene)propanehydrazide has been tested to be ca. 1.4 times higher than that of a well-known antioxidant ascorbic acid. Anticancer activity was tested by MTT assay against human glioblastoma U-87 and triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell lines. In general, the tested compounds were more cytotoxic against U-87 than MDA-MB-231 cell line. 1-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-((5-(2-((4-methoxyphenyl)amino)ethyl)-4-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thio)ethanone has been identified as the most active compound against the glioblastoma U-87 cell line.

Selective Synthesis and Photoluminescence Study of Pyrazolopyridopyridazine Diones and N-Aminopyrazolopyrrolopyridine Diones

The newly designed luminol structures of pyrazolopyridopyridazine diones and N-aminopyrazolopyrrolopyridine diones were synthesized from versatile 1,3-diaryfuropyrazolopyridine-6,8-diones, 1,3-diarylpyrazolopyrrolopyridine-6,8-diones, or 1,3-diaryl-7-methylpyrazolopyrrolopyridine-6,8-diones with hydrazine monohydrate. Photoluminescent and solvatofluorism properties containing UV–Vis absorption, emission spectra, and quantum yield (Φ_f) study of pyrazolopyridopyridazine diones and N-aminopyrazolopyrrolopyridine diones were also studied. Generally, most of pyrazolopyrrolopyridine-6,8-diones 6 exhibited the significant fluorescence intensity and the substituent effect when compared with N-aminopyrazolopyrrolopyridine diones, particularly for 6c and 6j with a m-chloro group. Additionally, the fluorescence intensity of 6j was significantly promoted due to the suitable conjugation conformation. Based on the quantum yield (Φ_f) study, the value of compound 6j (0.140) with planar structural skeletal was similar to that of standard luminol (1, 0.175).

Novel phthalimide based analogues: design, synthesis, biological evaluation, and molecular docking studies

Pyrazolylphthalimide derivative 4 was synthesized and reacted with different reagents to afford the target compounds imidazopyrazoles 5-7, pyrazolopyrimidines 9, 12, 14 and pyrazolotriazines 16, 17 containing phthalimide moiety. The prepared compounds were established by different spectral data and elemental analyses. Additionally, all synthesized derivatives were screened for their antibacterial activity against four types of Gram + ve and Gram-ve strains, and for antifungal activity against two fungi micro-organisms by well diffusion method. Moreover, the antiproliferative activity was tested for all compounds against human liver (HepG-2) cell line in comparison with the reference vinblastine. Moreover, drug-likeness and toxicity risk parameters of the newly synthesized compounds were calculated using in silico studies. The data from structure-actvity relationship (SAR) analysis suggested that phthalimide derivative bearing 3-aminopyrazolone moiety, 4 illustrated the best antimicrobial and antitumor activities and might be considered as a lead for further optimization. To investigate the mechanism of the antimicrobial and anticancer activities, enzymatic assay and molecular docking studies were carried out on E. coli topoisomerase II DNA gyrase B and VEGFR-2 enzymes.

Neuropharmacological Screening of Chiral and Non-chiral Phthalimide- Containing Compounds in Mice: in vivo and in silico Experiments

Background:

Thalidomide, the first synthesized phthalimide, has demonstrated sedative- hypnotic and antiepileptic effects on the central nervous system. N-substituted phthalimides have an interesting chemical structure that confers important biological properties.

Objective:

Non-chiral (ortho and para bis-isoindoline-1,3-dione, phthaloylglycine) and chiral phthalimides (N-substituted with aspartate or glutamate) were synthesized and the sedative, anxiolytic and anticonvulsant effects were tested.

Method:

Homology modeling and molecular docking were employed to predict recognition of the analogues by hNMDA and mGlu receptors. The neuropharmacological activity was tested with the open field test and elevated plus maze (EPM). The compounds were tested in mouse models of acute convulsions induced either by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ; 90 mg/kg) or 4-aminopyridine (4-AP; 10 mg/kg).

Results:

The ortho and para non-chiral compounds at 562.3 and 316 mg/kg, respectively, decreased locomotor activity. Contrarily, the chiral compounds produced excitatory effects. Increased locomotor activity was found with S-TGLU and R-TGLU at 100, 316 and 562.3 mg/kg, and S-TASP at 316 and 562.3 mg/kg. These molecules showed no activity in the EPM test or PTZ model. In the 4-AP model, however, S-TGLU (237.1, 316 and 421.7 mg/kg) as well as S-TASP and R-TASP (316 mg/kg) lowered the convulsive and death rate.

Conclusion:

The chiral compounds exhibited a non-competitive NMDAR antagonist profile and the non-chiral molecules possessed selective sedative properties. The NMDAR exhibited stereoselectivity for S-TGLU while it is not a preference for the aspartic derivatives. The results appear to be supported by the in silico studies, which evidenced a high affinity of phthalimides for the hNMDAR and mGluR type 1.

Novel amphiphilic pyridinium ionic liquids-supported Schiff bases: ultrasound assisted synthesis, molecular docking and anticancer evaluation

Background

Pyridinium Schiff bases and ionic liquids have attracted increasing interest in medicinal chemistry.

Results

A library of 32 cationic fluorinated pyridinium hydrazone-based amphiphiles tethering fluorinated counteranions was synthesized by alkylation of 4-fluoropyridine hydrazone with various long alkyl iodide exploiting lead quaternization and metathesis strategies. All compounds were assessed for their anticancer inhibition activity towards different cancer cell lines and the results revealed that increasing the length of the hydrophobic chain of the synthesized analogues appears to significantly enhance their anticancer activities. Substantial increase in caspase-3 activity was demonstrated upon treatment with the most potent compounds, namely 8, 28, 29 and 32 suggesting an apoptotic cellular death pathway.

Conclusions

Quantum-polarized ligand docking studies against phosphoinositide 3-kinase α displayed that compounds 2–6 bind to the kinase site and form H-bond with S774, K802, H917 and D933.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13065-018-0489-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Molecular Docking of Novel Thiazoles and [1,3,4]Thiadiazoles Incorporating Sulfonamide Group as DHFR Inhibitors

2-(1-{4-[(4-Methylphenyl)sulfonamido]phenyl}ethylidene)thiosemicarbazide (3) was exploited as a starting material for the synthesis of two novel series of 5-arylazo-2-hydrazonothiazoles 6a - 6j and 2-hydrazono[1,3,4]thiadiazoles 10a - 10d, incorporating sulfonamide group, through its reactions with appropriate hydrazonoyl halides. The structures of the newly synthesized products were confirmed by spectral and elemental analyses. Also, the antimicrobial, anticancer, and DHFR inhibition potency for two series of thiazoles and [1,3,4]thiadiazoles were evaluated and explained by molecular docking studies and SAR analysis.

Crystal structure, DFT calculations and evaluation of 2-(2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl)isoindoline-1,3-dione as AChE inhibitor

Dioxoisoindolines have been included as a pharmacophore group in diverse drug-like molecules with a wide range of biological activity. Various reports have shown that phthalimide derivatives are potent inhibitors of AChE, a key enzyme involved in the deterioration of the cholinergic system during the development of Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, 2-(2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl)isoindoline-1,3-dione was synthesized, crystallized and evaluated as an AChE inhibitor. The geometric structure of the crystal and the theoretical compound (from molecular modeling) were analyzed and compared, finding a close correlation. The formation of the C6-H6···O19 interaction could be responsible for the non-negligible out of phenyl plane deviation of the C19 methoxy group, the O3 from the carbonyl group lead to C16-H16···O3i intermolecular interactions to furnish C(9) and C(14) infinite chains within the (- 4 0 9) and (- 3 1 1) families of planes. Finally, the biological experiments reveal that the isoindoline-1,3-dione exerts a good competitive inhibition on AChE (Ki = 0.33-0.93 mM; 95% confidence interval) and has very low acute toxicity (LD50 > 1600 mg/kg) compared to the AChE inhibitors currently approved for clinical use.

Structure-activity relationships and molecular docking studies of chromene and chromene based azo chromophores: A novel series of potent antimicrobial and anticancer agents

The design of novel materials with significant biological properties is a main target in drug design research. Chromene compounds represent an interesting medicinal scaffold in drug replacement systems. This report illustrates a successful synthesis and characterization of two novel series of chromene compounds using multi-component reactions. The synthesis of the first example of azo chromophores containing chromene moieties has also been established using the same methodology. The antimicrobial activity of the new molecules has been tested against seven human pathogens including two Gm+ve, two Gm-ve bacteria, and four fungi, and the results of the inhibition zones with minimum inhibitory concentrations were reported as compared to reference drugs. All the designed compounds showed significant potent antimicrobial activities, among of them, four potent compounds 4b, 4c, 13e, and 13i showed promising MIC from 0.007 to 3.9 µg/mL. In addition, antiproliferative analysis against three target cell lines was examined for the novel compounds. Compounds 4a, 4b, 4c, and 7c possessed significant antiproliferative activity against three cell lines with an IC₅₀ of 0.3 to 2 µg/mL. Apoptotic analysis was performed for the most potent compounds via caspase enzyme activity assays as a potential mechanism for their antiproliferative effects. Finally, the computational 2D QSAR and docking simulations were accomplished for structure-activity relationship analyses.

Discovery of novel phthalimide analogs: Synthesis, antimicrobial and antitubercular screening with molecular docking studies

In continuation of our endeavor towards the design and development of potent and effective antimicrobial agents, three series of phthalimide derivatives (4a-i, 5a-f, and 6a-c) were synthesized, fully characterized and evaluated for their potential antibacterial, antifungal and antimycobacterial activities. These efforts led to the discovery of nine compounds 4c, 4f, 4g, 4h, 4i, 5c, 5d, 5e, and 6c (MIC range from 0.49 to 31.5 μg/mL) with potent antibacterial, antifungal, and antimycobacterial activities. Ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, amphotericin B were used as references for antibacterial and antifungal screening respectively, while isoniazid was used as a reference for antimycobacterial testing. Furthermore, molecular modeling studies were done to explore the binding mode of the most active derivatives to M. tuberculosis enoyl reductase (InhA) and DNA gyrase B. Our study showed the importance of both hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions as a key interaction with the target enzymes.