Bioisosterism based Design, Synthesis and Antifungal Evaluation of Novel Fluconazole Analogues

• Published in: Asian journal of chemistry 2023-09, Vol.35 (10), p.2561-2571
• Main Authors: KANKATE, RANI S., NATHE, VIKAS C., KSHIRSAGER, SANJAY J., SURSE, SUNITA N., BHALERAO, SNEHA A., GHODKE, SHANTANU S., SADHWANI, JATIN A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0970-7077; 0975-427X
• DOI: 10.14233/ajchem.2023.28227

A novel series of compounds containing tert.-amine moiety, piperazine triazole and triazole ring were synthesized by microwave assisted synthesis. The solubility and pharmacokinetic profiles of the compounds were improved by introducing the piperazine at the C3 position of fluconazole. The methylene bridge between the tert.-amine group and piperazine triazole moiety is kept constant. The tert.-amino moiety was chosen as a bioisostere to substitute tert.-alcohol group in fluconazole. In contrast to tert.-alcohols, tert.-amino groups exhibit the capacity to engage in hydrogen bonding interactions. Additionally, they have the ability to accept protons or form quaternary salts, thereby enhancing their water solubility. Furthermore, tert.-amino groups can coordinate with metal ions, potentially resulting in improved affinity, selectivity and potency in biological properties. In present study, homology models of the CYP51 enzymes derived from Candida albicans were developed using the X-ray crystal structure of CYP51 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These models were subsequently employed in a molecular docking investigation, focusing on the active site of the fungal enzymes responsible for lanosterol 14α- demethylation. The synthesized compounds were characterized using 1H NMR, IR and mass spectral techniques. The evaluation of compounds using the in vitro broth dilution technique and disc diffusion assay shown antifungal activity against C. albicans and C. tropicalis. The results indicated that certain compounds exhibited activity similar to that of fluconazole.