Antibacterial and Antileishmanial Activity of 1,4-Dihydropyridine Derivatives

Chem Biodivers. 2025 Jan;22(1):e202401300. doi: 10.1002/cbdv.202401300. Epub 2024 Oct 31.

Abstract

We have synthesized twenty-three 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives (1,4-DHPs) by using a microwave-assisted one-pot multicomponent Hantzsch reaction and evaluated their antibacterial activity against a representative panel of cariogenic bacteria and their in vitro antileishmanial activity against Leishmania (L.) amazonensis promastigotes and amastigotes. Thirteen compounds were moderately active against Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus mitis, and Lactobacillus paracasei. Compound 22 (diethyl 4-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,6-dimethyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate) displayed moderate antibacterial activity against S. mitis and S. sanguinis, with a Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 500 μg/mL); compounds 8 (ethyl 2,7,7-trimethyl-4-(3-chlorophenyl)-5-oxo-1,4,5,6,7,8-hexahydroquinoline-3-carboxylate) and 10 (ethyl 2,7,7-trimethyl-4-(3-nitrophenyl)-5-oxo-1,4,5,6,7,8-hexahydroquinoline-3-carboxylate) were moderately active against S. sanguinis (MIC=500 μg/mL) and very active against L. amazonensis promastigotes (IC50=43.08 and 34.29 μM, respectively). Among the eight 1,4-DHPs that were active (IC50 <50 μM) against L. amazonensis promastigotes, compound 13 (ethyl 2,7,7-trimethyl-4-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-5-oxo-1,4,5,6,7,8-hexahydroquinoline-3-carboxylate) was the most active (IC50=24.62 μM) and had a Selectivity Index (SI) higher than 4 compared to GM07492 A cells. On the other hand, compounds 7 (ethyl 2,7,7-trimethyl-4-(3-fluorophenyl)-5-oxo-1,4,5,6,7,8-hexahydroquinoline-3-carboxylate) and 9 (ethyl 2,7,7-trimethyl-4-(2-nitrophenyl)-5-oxo-1,4,5,6,7,8-hexahydroquinoline-3-carboxylate) were the most active against L. amazonensis amastigotes (IC50=12.53 and 13.67 μM, respectively; SI>7.9 and >7.3, respectively) after 24 h of treatment. Our results indicated that asymmetric 1,4-DHPs derived from dimedone exhibit antileishmanial potential.

Keywords: 1,4-diidropyridine; Leishmania amazonensis; Microwave irradiation; Oral pathogens; Streptococcus mutans.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / chemical synthesis
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / pharmacology
  • Antiprotozoal Agents* / chemical synthesis
  • Antiprotozoal Agents* / chemistry
  • Antiprotozoal Agents* / pharmacology
  • Dihydropyridines* / chemical synthesis
  • Dihydropyridines* / chemistry
  • Dihydropyridines* / pharmacology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Leishmania / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Parasitic Sensitivity Tests
  • Streptococcus / drug effects
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Dihydropyridines
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • 1,4-dihydropyridine
  • Antiprotozoal Agents