Synthesis of alpha- and beta-pyran naphthoquinones as a new class of antitubercular agents

Arch Pharm (Weinheim). 2010 Feb;343(2):81-90. doi: 10.1002/ardp.200900162.

Abstract

A series of alpha- and beta-pyran naphthoquinones (lapachones) have been synthesized and evaluated for their in-vitro antibacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain H37Rv (ATCC 27294) using the Alamar-Blue susceptibility test; the activity was expressed as the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in microg/mL. The synthetic methodology consisted of the formation of methylene and aryl o-quinone methides (o-QMs) generated by Knoevenagel condensation of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone with formaldehyde and arylaldehydes. These o-QMs then undergo facile hetero Diels-Alder reactions with dienophiles in aqueous ethanol media. Some naphthoquinones exhibited inhibition with MIC values of 1.25 microg/mL, similar to that of pharmaceutical concentrations currently used in tuberculosis treatment. These results justify further research into the value of these quinones as part of an original treatment for tuberculosis.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antitubercular Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antitubercular Agents / chemistry
  • Antitubercular Agents / pharmacology*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / drug effects*
  • Naphthoquinones / chemical synthesis
  • Naphthoquinones / chemistry
  • Naphthoquinones / pharmacology*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents
  • Naphthoquinones