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1,3,4-Thiadiazole and 1,2,4-triazole-3(4H )-thione bearing salicylate moiety: synthesis and evaluation as anti-Candida albicans

Abstract

Dramatically increased occurrence of both superficial and invasive fungal infections has been observed. Candida albicans appear to be the main etiological agent of invasive fungal infections. The anti-C. albicans activity of thiosemicarbazide, 1,3,4-Thiadiazole, and 1,2,4-triazole-3(4H)-thione compounds (compounds 3-23) were investigated. The MIC values of thiadiazole and triazole derivatives 10-23 were in the range of 0.08-0.17 µmol mL-1, while that of fluconazole was 0.052 µmol mL-1. Compound 11 (5-(2-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)phenyl)-N-allyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine) and compound 18 (5-(2-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)phenyl)-4-allyl-2H-1,2,4-triazole-3(4H)-thione) were found to be the most active compounds, with MIC values of 0.08 µmol mL-1. The newly synthesized thiadiazole and triazole compounds (compounds 10-23) showed promising anti-Candida activity. The allyl substituent-bearing compounds 11 and 18 exhibited significant anti-Candida albicans activity and showed a binding mode as well as the fluconazole x-ray structure.

Uniterms:
Anti-Candida/docking studies; Thiadiazole; Triazole

INTRODUCTION

Over the last two decades, dramatically increased occurrence of both superficial and invasive fungal infections has been observed. In organ transplant cases and in immune compromised individuals, including patients with cancer or AIDS, fungal infections are the major cause of morbidity and mortality (Romani, 2008ROMANI, L. Cell-mediated immunity to fungi: a reassessment. Med. Mycol., v.46, n.6, p.515-529, 2008.). The invasive Candida infections are mainly caused by Candida albicans and account for 30-40% of fungal infection-related mortality (Pfaller, Diekema, 2010PFALLER, M.A.; DIEKEMA, D.J. Epidemiology of invasive mycoses in North America. Crit. Rev. Microbiol., v.36, p.1-53, 2010.).

A major obstacle in the treatment of Candida infections is the spread of anti-Candida drug resistance following long-term regular administration of antimycotic therapy in severely immunocompromised subjects, such as cancer patients, transplant recipients, and patients undergoing surgery. In spite of the development of new drugs, such as new azole or echinocandin derivatives, there has been a dramatic increase in both anti-Candida resistance and the frequency of invasive Candida infections (Pfaller, 2012PFALLER, M.A. Antifungal drug resistance: mechanisms, epidemiology, and consequences for treatment. Am. J. Med., v.125, p.S3-S13, 2012.). Among enormous classes of heterocyclic compounds, the synthesis of new derivatives of 1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones and 2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazoles has been attracting considerable attention because of their broad biological activity, including antibacterial and antifungal (Güzeldemirci, Küçükbasmaci, 2010GÜZELDEMIRCI, N.U.; KÜÇÜKBASMACI, Ö. Synthesis and antimicrobial activity evaluation of new 1,2,4-triazoles and 1,3,4-thiadiazoles bearing imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole moiety. Eur J Med Chem., v.45, p.63-68, 2010.; Plec et al., 2011PLEC, T.; WUJEC, M.; SIWEK, A.; KOSIKOWSKA, U.; MALM, A. Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of thiosemicarbazides, s-triazoles and their Mannich bases bearing 3-chlorophenyl moiety. Eur. J. Med. Chem., v.46, p.241-248, 2011.; Camoutsis et al., 2010CAMOUTSIS, C.; GERONIKAKI, A.; CIRIC, A.; SOKOVIC, M.; ZOUMPOULAKIS, P.; ZERVOU, M. Sulfonamide-1, 2, 4-thiadiazole derivatives as antifungal and antibacterial agents: Synthesis, biological evaluation, lipophilicity and conformational studies. Chem. Pharm. Bull., v.58, p.160-167, 2010.; Küçükgüzel et al., 2007KÜÇÜKGÜZEL, S.G.; KÜÇÜKGÜZEL, I.; TATAR, E.; ROLLAS, S.; AHIN, F.S.; GÜLLÜCE, M. Synthesis of some novel heterocyclic compounds derived from diflunisal hydrazide as potential anti-infective and anti-inflammatory agents. Eur. J. Med. Chem., v.42, p.893-901, 2007.; Kadi et al., 2007KADI, A.A.; EL-BROLLOSY, N.R.; AL-DEEB, O.A.; HABIB, E.E.; IBRAHIM, T.M.; EL-EMAM, A.A. Synthesis, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities of novel 2-(1-adamantyl)-5-substituted-1,3,4-oxadiazoles and 2-(1-adamantylamino)-5-substituted-1,3,4-thiadiazoles. Eur. J. Med. Chem., v.42, p.235-242, 2007.), anti-tubercular (Küçükgüzel et al., 2001; Küçükgüzel et al., 2008), antiviral (Abdel-Aal et al., 2003; Küçükgüzel et al., 2008), antioxidant (Ayhan-Kilcigil et al., 2004; Khan et al., 2010KHAN, I.; ALI, S.; HAMEED, S.; RAMA, N.H.; HUSSAIN, MT.;WADOOD, A. Synthesis, antioxidant activities and urease inhibition of some new 1,2,4-triazole and 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives. Eur. J. Med. Chem., v.45, p.5200-5207, 2010.), antitumoral (Duran, Dogan, Rollas, 2002DURAN, A.; DOGAN, H.N.; ROLLAS, S. Synthesis and preliminary anticancer activity of new 1,4-dihydro-3-(3-hydroxy-2-naphthyl)-4-substituted-5H-1,2,4-triazoline-5-thiones. Farmaco, v.57, p.559-564, 2002.; Rzeski, Matysiak, Kandefer-Szerszen, 2007RZESKI, W.; MATYSIAK, J.; KANDEFER-SZERSZEN, M. Anticancer, neuroprotective activities and computational studies of 2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole based compound. Bioorg. Med. Chem., v.15, p.3201-3207, 2007.; Mavrova et al., 2009MAVROVA, A.T.; WESSELINOVA, D.; TSENOV, Y.A.; DENKOVA, P. Synthesis, cytotoxicity and effects of some 1,2,4-triazole and 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives on immunocompetent cells. Eur J Med Chem., v.44, p.63-69, 2009.), anti-inflammatory (Amir, Shikha, 2004AMIR, M.; SHIKHA, K. Synthesis and anti-inflammatory, analgesic, ulcerogenic and lipid peroxidation activities of some new 2-[(2,6-dichloroanilino) phenyl]acetic acid derivatives. Eur. J. Med. Chem., v.39, p.535-545, 2004.; Kadi et al., 2007; Küçükgüzel et al., 2007; Kumar et al., 2008KUMAR, H.; JAVED, S.A.; KHAN, S.A.; AMIR, M. 1,3,4-Oxadiazole/thiadiazole and 1,2,4-triazole derivatives of biphenyl-4-yloxy acetic acid: synthesis and preliminary evaluation of biological properties. Eur. J. Med. Chem., v.43, p.2688-2698, 2008.), and anticonvulsant activity (Kane et al., 1994KANE, J.M.; STAEGER, M.A.; DALTON, C.R.; MILLER, F.P.; DUDLEY, M.W.; OGDEN, A.M.L. 5-Aryl-3-(alkylthio)-4H-1,2,4-triazoles as selective antagonists of strychnine-induced convulsions and potential antispastic agents. J. Med. Chem., v.37, p.125-132, 1994.; Sharma et al., 2011SHARMA, R.; MISRA, G.P.; SAINY, J.; CHATURVEDI, S.C. Synthesis and biological evaluation of 2-amino-5-sulfanyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives as antidepressant, anxiolytics and anticonvulsants agents. Med. Chem. Res., v.20, p.245-253, 2011.; Dogan et al., 2002). Clinically-used antifungal azole drugs containing either an imidazole (e.g., econazole, miconazole, clotrimazole, and ketoconazole) or a 1,2,4-triazole moiety (e.g., fluconazole and itraconazole) have a high therapeutic index and significant safety profile (Wang et al., 2009WANG, W.; SHENG, C.; CHE, X.; JI, H.; MIAO, Z.; YAO, J.; ZHANG, W. Design, synthesis, and antifungal activity of novel conformationaly restricted triazole derivatives. Arch. Pharm. Chem. Life Sci. v.342, p.732-739, 2009.). Azoles were broadly used as first-line treatment of invasive fungal infections, which led to the emergence of high resistance (Hoffman, Ernst, Klepser, 2000HOFFMAN, H.L.; ERNST, E.J.; KLEPSER, M.E. Novel triazole antifungal agents. Expert Opin. Investig. Drugs, v.9, p.593-605, 2000.; Casalinuovo, Di Francesco, Garaci, 2004CASALINUOVO, I.A.; DI FRANCESCO, P.; GARACI, E. Fluconazol resistance in Candida albicans: a review of mechanisms. Eur. Rev. Med. Pharmacol. Sci., v.8, p.69-77, 2004.) that largely decreased their efficacy. Azoles exert their antifungal activity by inhibiting the synthesis of sterols in fungal cells. This may be achieved through its inhibitory effect on cytochrome P450-dependent 14a-lanosterol demethylase, exerted through binding to the heme cofactor of the cytochrome CYP51". (Odds, Brown, Gow, 2003ODDS, F.; BROWN, A.J.P.; GOW, N.A.R. Antifungal agents: mechanisms of action. Trends Microbiol., v.11, p.272-279, 2003.; Hamdan, Hahn, 2006HAMDAN, J.S.; HAHN, R.C. Antifungal drugs for systemic mycosis: an overview of mechanism of action and resistance. Anti-Infect Agents Med. Chem., v.5, p.403-412, 2006.). As a result, ergosterol is depleted, and subsequent accumulation of lanosterol inside the fungal cells occurs, leading to inhibition of their growth. Because of the vital role of the CYP51 enzyme in the biosynthetic processes of fungal cells, CYP51 is considered the main target of antifungal azole agents (Lamb et al., 1999LAMB, D.C.; KELLY, D.E.; VENKATESWARLU, K.; MANNING, N.J.; BLIGH, H.F.; SCHUNCK, W.H.; KELLY, S.L. Generation of a complete, soluble, and catalytically active sterol 14 alpha-demethylase-reductase complex. Biochemistry, v.38, n.27, p.8733-8738, 1999.). In view of the potential biological activity of derivatives of 1,2,4-triazole and 1,3,4-thiadiazole and in continuation of our ongoing research on the synthesis of heterocycles with potential antimicrobial activity (Radwan, Hussein, 2006RADWAN, A.A.; HUSSEIN, N.A. Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of some 3-(1-phenylethyl)-5-substituted-2H-tetrahydro-1,3,5-thiadiazine-2-thione derivatives. Bull. Pharm. Sci. Assiut. University., v.28, p.255-260, 2006.; Mostafa et al., 2008MOSTAFA, Y.A.-H.; HUSSEIN, M.A.; RADWAN, A.A.; KFAFY, A.E.N. Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of certain new 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives. Arch. Pharm. Res., v.31, n.3, p.279-293, 2008.; Aboul-Fadl et al., 2012; Attia et al., 2013ATTIA, M.I.; RADWAN, A.A.; ZAKARIA, A.S.; ALMUTAIRI, M.S.; GHONEIM, S.W. 1-Aryl-3-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)propan-1-ol esters: synthesis, anti-Candida potential and molecular modeling studies. Chem. Cent. J., v.7, p.168, 2013.; Radwan, 2013; Ghorab et al., 2013aGHORAB, M.M.; ISMAIL, Z.H.; ABDALLA, M.; RADWAN, A.A. Synthesis, antimicrobial evaluation and molecular modelling of novel sulfonamides carrying a biologically active quinazoline nucleus. Arch Pharm Res., v.36, p.660-670, 2013a., b; Radwan et al., 2014; Radwan, Abdel-Mageed, 2014), we synthesized a new series from 1,2,4-triazole and 1,3,4-thiadiazole in order to examine their antifungal activity. Hydrocarbon substituents with variable size were included at position 2 of the thiadiazole ring and at position 1 of the triazole ring in order to enhance the lipophilicity and subsequently the biological activity of the compounds and to study the steric and electronic effect of these substituents on biological activity.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Methyl salicylate (1), chlorobenzyl chloride (2), and isothiocyanate derivatives were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich Company (St. Louis, MO, USA). Measurements of melting points were done on a Barnstead 9001 Electrothermal apparatus using open capillary tubes; these measurements were uncorrected. FTIR spectra were obtained using KBr discs on a Perkin-Elmer (USA) spectrophotometer at the research center of the College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia. 1H and 13C NMR spectra were recorded in DMSO-d6 on a Bruker NMR spectrophotometer operating at either 500 MHz or 125.76 MHz. Elemental analysis was performed on a Perkin-Elmer CHNSO analyzer, model no. 2400. Reaction monitoring and purity testing of the final products were carried out by thin layer chromatography (TLC) using silica gel-precoated aluminum sheets (60 F254, Merck) and visualization with ultraviolet light (UV) at 365 and 254 nm.

Synthesis of methyl 2-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)benzoate (1)

Methyl 2-hydroxybenzoate (1.3 g, 0.01 mol) was dissolved in dry acetone (120 mL). Dry potassium carbonate (4.14 g, 0.03 mol) was added and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 10 min. Chlorobenzyl chloride (3.86 mL, 0.03 mol) was added to the mixture and the solution was heated under reflux for 18 h under a nitrogen atmosphere. The cooled reaction mixture was filtered, the solvent was removed under reduced pressure, and the residue was dissolved in dichloromethane (25 mL). The organic layer was washed consecutively with 5% aqueous NaOH (25 mL), brine (20 mL), and distilled water (20 mL). The organic layer was dried over magnesium sulfate and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography with 5%-20% ethyl acetate/hexane as eluent to afford the product. Yield 2.5 g, 90%.

Synthesis of 2-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)benzohydrazide (2)

Methyl 2-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)benzoate (1) (2.76 g, 0.01 mol), ethanol (20 mL), and 64% hydrazine hydrate (4 mL) were mixed together and heated under reflux at 80°C for 8 h. TLC eluted with 1:4 ethanol/benzene showed the development of a new spot at Rf = 0.65. Ethanol was evaporated under reduced pressure and a white solid product was recrystallized from H2O/MeOH to yield compound 2 (2.6 g, 95% yield), melting point 111-112°C, IR (KBr, cm-1) 3246 (NH), 1583 (CO-N). 1H NMR (DMSOd6, δ ppm): 4.53 (s, 2H, NH2), 5.24 (s, 2H, Ar-CH2-O), 7.02-7.65 (8H, m, Ar-Hs), 9.24 (s, 1H, -CONH). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 69.4 (Ar-CH2-O), 113.82, 121.27, 123.38, 128.97, 129.81, 130.18, 132.12, 132.94, 136.3, 156.97 (C-Ar), 165.54 (C=O). Anal. calcd. for C14H13ClN2O2: C, 60.77; H, 4.74; N, 10.12. Found: C, 60.63; H, 4.85; N, 10.01.

Synthesis of 1-(2-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)benzoyl)-4-substituted-thiosemicarbazide (3-9)

The compound 2-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)benzohydrazide (2) (2.76 g, 0.01 mol) was dissolved in absolute ethanol (20 mL). The isothiocyanate reagents (0.011 mol) were separately dissolved in absolute ethanol (10 mL). Then, the solution of isothiocyanate was poured into the solution of hydrazide, with continuous stirring. The reaction mixture was refluxed for 2 h, and then cooled to room temperature. The crude solid was then filtered and recrystallized from appropriate solvent to yield compounds 3-9.

1-(2-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)benzoyl)-4-phenylthiosemicarbazide (3)

Yield 4.02 g, 98%, melting point 176-178 °C; IR (KBr) 3320, 1664, 1618, 833, 750, 691 cm-1; 1H NMR (DMSOd6, δ ppm): 5.32 (2H, s, (Ar-CH2-O), 7.08-7.87 (13H, m, Ar-Hs), 9.42, 9.93, 10.15 (3s, 3H, 3NH). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 69.69 (Ar-CH2-O), 114.05, 121.4, 122.1, 123.4, 125.2, 126.4, 128.63, 128.09, 130.1, 131.22, 133.07, 133.25, 135.93, 139.48, 156.38 (C-Ar), 165.15 (C=O), 182.23 (C=S). Anal. calcd. for C21H18ClN3O2S: C, 61.23; H, 4.40; N, 10.20; S, 7.78. Found: C, 61.01; H, 4.58; N, 10.03; S, 7.63.

1-(2-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)benzoyl)-4-allylthiosemicarbazide (4)

Yield 3.2 g, 85%, melting point 157-158 °C; IR (KBr) 3314, 1648, 1622, 852, 772, 672 cm-1; 1H NMR (DMSOd6, δ ppm): 4.04 (s, 2H, CH2=CH-CH2-), 5.07 (d, 1H, J=10, transCH2=CH-), 5.11 (d, 1H, J=17, cisCH2=CH-), 5.28 (s, 2H, Ar-CH2-O), 5.79 (m, 1H, CH2=CH-CH2-), 7.06-7.97 (8H, m, Ar-Hs), 9.37, 9.71, 10.09 (3s, 3H, 3NH). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 46.19 (allyl-CH2), 69.57 (Ar-CH2-O), 113.93, 119.71, 121.32, 128.95, 130.05, 131.03, 133.03, 133.05, 135.01, 136.05, 156.26 (C-Ar), 165.02 (C=O), 181.95 (C=S). Anal. calcd. for C18H18ClN3O2S: C, 57.52; H, 4.83; N, 11.18; S, 8.53. Found: C, 57.43; H, 4.91; N, 11.03; S, 8.61.

1-(2-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)benzoyl)-4-(m-tolyl)thiosemicarbazide (5)

Yield 4.08 g, 96%, melting point 170-171 °C; IR (KBr) 3294, 1640, 1608, 816, 746, 694 cm-1; 1H NMR (DMSOd6, δ ppm): 2.28 (s, 3H, CH3), 5.31 (s, 2H, Ar-CH2-O), 6.96-7.86 (m, 12H, Ar-Hs), 9.36, 9.82, 10.18 (3s, 3H, 3NH). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 21.44 (CH3), 69.7 (Ar-CH2-O), 114.04, 121.42, 125.05, 128.45, 128.89, 130.08, 131.18, 133.07, 133.23, 135.91, 139.32, 156.37 (C-Ar), 165.23 (C=O), 180.76 (C=S). Anal. calcd. for C22H20ClN3O2S: C, 62.04; H, 4.73; N, 9.87; S, 7.53. Found: C, 61.92; H, 4.80; N, 9.76; S, 7.38.

1-(2-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)benzoyl)-4-(p-tolyl)thiosemicarbazide (6)

Yield 4.16 g, 98%, melting point 162-163 °C; IR (KBr) 3294, 1640, 1608, 816, 746, 694 cm-1; 1H NMR (DMSOd6, δ ppm): 2.29 (s, 3H, CH3), 5.31 (s, 2H, Ar-CH2-O), 7.07-7.86 (m, 12H, Ar-Hs), 9.42, 9.88, 10.12 (3s, 3H, 3NH). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 21.01 (CH3), 69.69 (Ar-CH2-O), 114.03, 121.4, 128.89, 129.14, 130.09, 131.19, 133.08, 133.21, 135.91, 136.85, 156.37 (C-Ar), 165.78 (C=O), 180.93 (C=S). Anal. calcd. for C22H20ClN3O2S: C, 62.04; H, 4.73; N, 9.87; S, 7.53. Found: C, 61.88; H, 4.79; N, 9.93; S, 7.61.

1-(2-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)benzoyl)-4-(o-tolyl)thiosemicarbazide (7)

Yield 4.0 g, 95%, melting point 148-149 °C; IR (KBr) 3323, 1662, 1628, 869, 772, 732 cm-1; 1H NMR (DMSOd6, δ ppm): 2.14 (s, 3H, CH3), 5.24 (s, 2H, Ar-CH2-O), 7.07-7.85 (m, 12H, Ar-Hs), 9.15, 9.72, 10.16 (3s, 3H, 3NH). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 18.06 (CH3), 69.69 (Ar-CH2-O), 113.93, 121.32, 126.26, 126.97, 128.87, 130.04, 130.53, 131.13, 133.06, 135.87, 156.35 (C-Ar), 165.62 (C=O), 181.06 (C=S). Anal. calcd. for C22H20ClN3O2S: C, 62.04; H, 4.73; N, 9.87; S, 7.53. Found: C, 62.14; H, 4.8; N, 9.75; S, 7.46.

1-(2-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)benzoyl)-4-(3-chlorophenyl)thiosemicarbazide (8)

Yield 4.35 g, 98%, melting point 151-152 °C; IR (KBr) 3314, 1683, 1612, 876, 778, 674 cm-1; 1H NMR (DMSOd6, δ ppm): 5.24 (s, 2H, Ar-CH2-O), 7.08-7.87 (m, 12H, Ar-Hs), 9.52, 10.04, 10.14 (3s, 3H, 3NH). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 69.67 (Ar-CH2-O), 114.06, 121.4, 124.98, 128.88, 129.81, 130.05, 131.27, 132.62, 133.07, 133.32, 135.92, 141.06, 156.43 (C-Ar), 165.3 (C=O), 181.58 (C=S). Anal. calcd. for C21H17Cl2N3O2S: C, 56.51; H, 3.84; N, 9.41; S, 7.18. Found: C, 56.43; H, 3.71; N, 9.52; S, 7.25.

1-(2-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)benzoyl)-4-isopropylthiosemicarbazide (9)

Yield 3.54 g, 94%, melting point 163-164 °C; IR (KBr) 3335, 1672, 1628, 853, 764, 679 cm-1; 1H NMR (DMSOd6, δ ppm): 1.06 (d, 6H, J=6, 2CH3), 4.35 (m, 1H, CH), 5.31 (s, 2H, Ar-CH2-O), 7.06-7.75 (m, 8H, Ar-Hs), 9.25, 9.48, 10.12 (3s, 3H, 3NH). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 22.34 (CH3), 46.01 (>CH), 69.61 (Ar-CH2-O), 113.97, 118.32, 121.4, 127.81, 128.97, 129.82, 129.25, 133.04, 133.08, 156.06 (C-Ar), 165.1 (C=O), 180.52 (C=S). Anal. calcd. for C18H20ClN3O2S: C, 57.21; H, 5.33; N, 11.12; S, 8.49. Found: C, 57.08; H, 5.41; N, 11.19; S, 8.56.

Synthesis of 5-(2-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)phenyl)- N -substituted-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine (10-16)

Concentrated sulfuric acid (10 mL) was added to the thiosemicarbazide compounds (3-9) (0.01 mol) with stirring at 0 °C. The reaction mixture was stirred for 3 h at room temperature, allowed to stand overnight, and neutralized with diluted sodium hydroxide. The precipitated crude solid was filtered and washed with water. The crude product was then recrystallized from a mixture of acetic acid and water (1:1 or 1:2) to yield disubstituted 1,3,4-thiadiazole (10-16).

5-(2-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)phenyl)-N-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine (10)

Yield 3.35 g, 85%, melting point 154-156 °C; IR (KBr) 3278, 838, 751, 695 cm-1; 1H NMR (DMSOd6, δ ppm): 4.6 (s, 2H, Ar-CH2-O), 4.8-5.52 (bs, 1H, NH), 6.94-7.69 (m, 13H, Ar-Hs). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 70.42 (Ar-CH2-O), 117.69, 118.12, 122.1, 123.4, 125.2, 126.4, 128.63, 128.85, 129.56, 130.18, 133.07, 133.25, 135.93, 139.97, 154.05, 150.1, 169.04. Anal. calcd. for C21H16ClN3OS: C, 64.03; H, 4.09; N, 10.67; S, 8.14. Found: C, 63.88; H, 4.15; N, 10.51; S, 8.06.

5-(2-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)phenyl)-N-allyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine (11)

Yield 2.67 g, 75%, melting point 142-144 °C; IR (KBr) 3305, 883, 752, 672 cm-1; 1H NMR (DMSOd6, δ ppm): 4.36 (s, 2H, CH2=CH-CH2-), 4.92 (s, 2H, Ar-CH2-O), 5.11 (d, 1H, J=10, transCH2=CH-), 5.16 (d, 1H, J=17, cisCH2=CH-), 5.67 (m, 1H, CH2=CH-CH2-), 5.8-6.34 (bs, 1H, NH), 7.13-7.72 (8H, m, Ar-Hs). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 45.86 (allyl-CH2), 69.17 (Ar-CH2-O), 114.23, 116.04, 121.25, 122.4, 128.05, 128.6, 129.1, 129.42, 133.62, 134.83, 139.65, 157.02, 164.3, 168.06. Anal. calcd. for C18H16ClN3OS: C, 60.41; H, 4.51; N, 11.74; S, 8.96. Found: C, 60.28; H, 4.64; N, 11.61; S, 8.82.

5-(2-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)phenyl)-N-m-tolyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine (12)

Yield 3.33 g, 82%, melting point 143-145 °C; IR (KBr) 3319, 884, 791, 697 cm-1; 1H NMR (DMSOd6, δ ppm): 2.31 (s, 3H, CH3), 4.95 (s, 2H, Ar-CH2-O), 5.61-6.37 (bs, 1H, NH), 7.15-7.68 (m, 12H, Ar-Hs). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 23.02 (CH3), 70.16 (Ar-CH2-O), 112.61, 114.52, 118.3, 119.22, 120.81, 121.65, 126.41, 127.91, 128.86, 129.32, 130.66, 131.54, 138.62, 139.35, 141.55, 150.11, 155.54, 167.31. Anal. calcd. for C22H18ClN3OS: C, 64.78; H, 4.45; N, 10.30; S, 7.86. Found: C, 64.62; H, 4.42; N, 10.38; S, 7.78.

5-(2-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)phenyl)-N-p-tolyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine (13)

Yield 3.25 g, 80%, melting point 154-156 °C; IR (KBr) 3318, 819, 762, 684 cm-1; 1H NMR (DMSOd6, δ ppm): 2.38 (s, 3H, CH3), 5.13 (s, 2H, Ar-CH2-O), 5.74-6.51 (bs, 1H, NH), 7.26-7.81 (m, 12H, Ar-Hs). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 21.32 (CH3), 69.75 (Ar-CH2-O), 113.06, 114.32, 116.01, 118.98, 120.01, 120.89, 123.98, 125.88, 128.31, 131.01, 133.05, 134.87, 135.92, 138.33, 146.01, 151.04, 168.03. Anal. calcd. for C22H18ClN3OS: C, 64.78; H, 4.45; N, 10.30; S, 7.86. Found: C, 64.71; H, 4.48; N, 10.26; S, 7.95.

5-(2-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)phenyl)-N-o-tolyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine (14)

Yield 3.0 g, 75%, melting point 146-148 °C; IR (KBr) 3299, 846, 749, 669 cm-1; 1H NMR (DMSOd6, δ ppm): 2.26 (s, 3H, CH3), 5.08 (s, 2H, Ar-CH2-O), 5.82-6.38 (bs, 1H, NH), 7.02-7.73 (m, 12H, Ar-Hs). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 18.58 (CH3), 70.04 (Ar-CH2-O), 113.46, 114.52, 114.89, 116.04, 116.53, 121.08, 124.05, 125.12, 127.81, 130.76, 132.65, 133.65, 137.53, 138.09, 149.31, 152.3, 166.14. Anal. calcd. for C22H18ClN3OS: C, 64.78; H, 4.45; N, 10.30; S, 7.86. Found: C, 64.76; H, 4.51; N, 10.38; S, 7.72.

5-(2-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)phenyl)-N-(3-chlorophenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine (15)

Yield 3.33 g, 78%, melting point 150-152 °C; IR (KBr) 3296, 861, 788, 681 cm-1; 1H NMR (DMSOd6, δ ppm): 5.16 (s, 2H, Ar-CH2-O), 5.48-6.28 (bs, 1H, NH), 7.23-7.84 (m, 12H, Ar-Hs). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 70.33 (Ar-CH2-O), 112.35, 114.58, 116.25, 116.63, 120.02, 122.87, 126.25, 126.91, 128.36, 130.57, 130.22, 136.35, 138.39, 146.24, 151.05, 166.08. Anal. calcd. for C21H15Cl2N3OS: C, 58.89; H, 3.53; N, 9.81; S, 7.49. Found: C, 58.81; H, 3.42; N, 9.93; S, 7.59.

5-(2-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)phenyl)-N-isopropyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine (16)

Yield 2.65 g, 74%, melting point 156-158 °C; IR (KBr) 3295, 873, 775, 693 cm-1; 1H NMR (DMSOd6, δ ppm): 1.13 (d, 6H, J=6, 2CH3), 4.48 (m, 1H, CH), 5.08 (s, 2H, Ar-CH2-O), 5.62-6.51 (bs, 1H, NH), 7.11-7.69 (m, 8H, Ar-Hs). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 21.66 (CH3), 46.8 (>CH), 69.04 (Ar-CH2-O), 113.31, 114.12, 114.01, 118.42, 119.09, 120.96, 124.14, 124.54, 127.33, 128.97, 133.12, 133.88, 137.63, 148.01, 151.11, 167.13. Anal. calcd. for C18H18ClN3OS: C, 60.07; H, 5.04; N, 11.68; S, 8.91. Found: C, 60.11; H, 5.17; N, 11.61; S, 8.82.

Synthesis of 5-(2-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)phenyl)-4-substituted-2H-1,2,4-triazole-3(4H)-thione (17-23)

Each of the thiosemicarbazides (3-9) (0.01 mol) was dissolved in ethanol (200 mL). Then, 20 mL of an ethanolic solution of KOH (0.85 g, KOH, 0.015 mol) was added and the mixture was heated under reflux at 80 °C for 4 h. Excess ethanol was evaporated to dryness and the bulk of the solid was washed with 2 M hydrochloric acid, filtered, dried, and recrystallized from ethanol to yield the corresponding compounds (17-23).

5-(2-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)phenyl)-4-phenyl-2H-1,2,4-triazole-3(4H)-thione (17)

Yield 3.25 g, 83%, melting point 223-225 °C; IR (KBr) 3315, 871, 752, 699 cm-1; 1H NMR (DMSOd6, δ ppm): 3.38 (bs, 1H, SH), 4.89 (s, 2H, Ar-CH2-O), 6.91-7.51 (m, 13H, Ar-Hs). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 69.04 (Ar-CH2-O), 113.1, 115.74, 122.24, 128.2, 128.28, 129.02, 129.32, 129.51, 132.33, 132.9, 132.96, 134.57, 135.92, 149.76, 156.35 (C5), 168.04 (C3). Anal. calcd. for C21H16ClN3OS: C, 64.03; H, 4.09; N, 10.67; S, 8.14. Found: C, 63.92; H, 4.13; N, 10.52; S, 8.23.

5-(2-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)phenyl)-4-allyl-2H-1,2,4-triazole-3(4H)-thione (18)

Yield 2.65 g, 74%, melting point 231-233 °C; IR (KBr) 3308, 873, 756, 663 cm-1; 1H NMR (DMSOd6, δ ppm): 3.25 (bs, 1H, SH), 4.47 (d, 2H, J=5, CH2=CH-CH2-), 4.7 (d, 1H, J=17, transCH2=CH-), 4.95 (d, 1H, J=10 cisCH2=CH-), 5.19 (s, 2H, Ar-CH2-O), 5.62 (m, 1H, CH2=CH-CH2-), 7.08-7.57 (m, 8H, Ar-Hs). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 69.04 (Ar-CH2-O), 46.06 (Allyl-CH2), 69.14 (Ar-CH2-O), 113.59, 115.83, 117.31, 124.13, 128.97, 129.78, 132.02, 132.18, 133.08, 133.1, 135.94, 149.73, 156.62 (C5), 167.18 (C3). Anal. calcd. for C18H16ClN3OS: C, 60.41; H, 4.51; N, 11.74; S, 8.96. Found: C, 60.32; H, 4.59; N, 11.66; S, 9.08.

5-(2-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)phenyl)-4-(m-tolyl)-2H-1,2,4-triazole-3(4H)-thione (19)

Yield 3.0 g, 73%, melting point 185-187 °C; IR (KBr) 3293, 871, 787, 693 cm-1; 1H NMR (DMSOd6, δ ppm): 2.14 (s, 3H, CH3), 4.15 (bs, 1H, SH), 4.87 (s, 2H, Ar-CH2-O), 6.83-7.45 (m, 12H, Ar-Hs). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 21.17 (CH3), 69.12 (Ar-CH2-O), 113.06, 116.98, 121.15, 125.03, 128.55, 128.75, 128.82, 129.24, 132.37, 132.41, 134.76, 135.34, 136.16, 138.04, 149.51, 156.29 (C5), 166.38 (C3). Anal. calcd. for C22H18ClN3OS: C, 64.78; H, 4.45; N, 10.30; S, 7.86. Found: C, 64.61; H, 4.52; N, 10.23; S, 7.94.

5-(2-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)phenyl)-4-(p-tolyl)-2H-1,2,4-triazole-3(4H)-thione (20)

Yield 3.1 g, 76%, melting point 177-179 °C; IR (KBr) 3308, 872, 809, 754 cm-1; 1H NMR (DMSOd6, δ ppm): 2.26 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.7 (bs, 1H, SH), 4.84 (s, 2H, Ar-CH2-O), 6.84-7.38 (m, 12H, Ar-Hs). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 21.14 (CH3), 69.83 (Ar-CH2-O), 113.04, 119.15, 121.01, 127.12, 128.7, 128.79, 129.38, 131.31, 132.29, 132.62, 134.53, 135.39, 136.7, 149.31, 156.01 (C5), 167.81 (C3). Anal. calcd. for C22H18ClN3OS: C, 64.78; H, 4.45; N, 10.30; S, 7.86. Found: C, 64.72; H, 4.58; N, 10.41; S, 7.73.

5-(2-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)phenyl)-4-(o-tolyl)-2H-1,2,4-triazole-3(4H)-thione (21)

Yield 2.9 g, 70%, melting point 200-202 °C; IR (KBr) 3311, 810, 754, 719 cm-1; 1H NMR (DMSOd6, δ ppm): 1.99 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.49 (bs, 1H, SH), 5.0 (s, 2H, Ar-CH2-O), 6.89-7.42 (m, 12H, Ar-Hs). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 18.17 (CH3), 69.51 (Ar-CH2-O), 113.17, 120.91, 126.4, 128.36, 129.12, 129.38, 129.43, 130.36, 132.01, 132.37, 132.79, 134.98, 136.2, 136.64, 149.33, 156.47 (C5), 166.86 (C3). Anal. calcd. for C22H18ClN3OS: C, 64.78; H, 4.45; N, 10.30; S, 7.86. Found: C, 64.71; H, 4.36; N, 10.39; S, 7.72.

5-(2-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)phenyl)-4-(m-chlorophenyl)-2H-1,2,4-triazole-3(4H)-thione (22)

Yield 3.5 g, 84%, melting point 225-226 °C; IR (KBr) 3327, 858, 776, 684 cm-1; 1H NMR (DMSOd6, δ ppm): 4.26 (bs, 1H, SH), 5.01 (s, 2H, Ar-CH2-O), 7.08-7.61 (m, 12H, Ar-Hs). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 70.29 (Ar-CH2-O), 112.22, 118.64, 124.31, 125.01, 127.54, 128.12, 129.26, 131.47, 131.16, 132.22, 133.06, 135.18, 138.01, 148.31, 158.32 (C5), 169.11 (C3). Anal. calcd. for C21H15Cl2N3OS: C, 58.89; H, 3.53; N, 9.81; S, 7.49. Found: C, 58.72; H, 3.58; N, 9.73; S, 7.58.

5-(2-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)phenyl)-4-(isopropyl)-2H-1,2,4-triazole-3(4H)-thione (23)

Yield 2.7 g, 75%, melting point 212-213 °C; IR (KBr) 3328, 871, 809, 755 cm-1; 1H NMR (DMSOd6, δ ppm): 1.17 (d, 6H, J=6, 2CH3), 4.25 (m, 1H, CH), 4.06 (bs, 1H, SH), 5.28 (s, 2H, Ar-CH2-O), 6.72-7.65 (m, 8H, Ar-Hs). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6, δ ppm): 23.18 (CH3), 42.86 (>CH), 69.84 (Ar-CH2-O), 113.34, 116.81, 121.05, 125.35, 127.67, 128.33, 129.14, 130.45, 136.16, 132.68, 133.06, 136.18, 139.01, 141.52, 152.08 (C5), 166.63 (C3). Anal. calcd. for C18H18ClN3OS: C, 60.07; H, 5.04; N, 11.68; S, 8.91. Found: C, 59.91; H, 5.11; N, 11.62; S, 8.88.

Anti-Candida albicans screening

The initial screening of antifungal activity and determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for different synthetic compounds were performed using the cup plate diffusion method and macro-broth dilution method, respectively (Bauer et al., 1966BAUER, R.W.; KIRBY, M.D.K.; SHERRIS, J.C.; TURCK, M. Antibiotic susceptibility testing by standard single disc diffusion method. Am. J. Clin. Pathol., v.45, p.493-496, 1966.; Arendrup et al., 2012ARENDRUP, M.C.; CUENCA-ESTRELLA, M.; LASS-FLORL, C.; HOPE, W.; EUCAST-AFAST. EUCAST technical note on the EUCAST definitive document E. Def 7.2: method for the determination of broth dilution minimum inhibitory concentrations of antifungal agents for yeasts E. Def 7.2 (EUCAST-AFAST). Clin. Microbiol. Infect., v.18, p.E246-E247, 2012.).

Cup plate experiment

Three to five pure colonies of Candida albicans ATCC 2091 were taken from overnight culture of Sabauraud's 2% dextrose agar medium (Merck(r), Darmstadt, Germany) and suspended in 5 mL of Sabauraud's 2% dextrose broth medium. The inoculum was evenly suspended by vigorous shaking on a vortex mixer for 15 s. The yeast strain was measured using a spectrophotometer (LKB(r) Ultrospec) at 530 nm to give absorbance of 0.2-0.15 (1-5x106 CFU/mL). The suspension was diluted 1:10 in Sabauraud's 2% dextrose broth medium to obtain 1x105 CFU/mL. The suspension was swabbed onto a Sabauraud's 2% dextrose agar plate and allowed to dry completely. Three ditches per agar plate were made using a cork borer. Then, 100 µL (512 µg) of stock solution (5120 µg mL-1) was transferred into the cup using a sterile pipette. The plates were refrigerated at 4°C for 30 min for diffusion, and then incubated at 37°C for 24 h. After the incubation period, the diameter of the inhibition zone (including the diameter cup) was measured and recorded in mm. Fluconazole (50 µg mL-1) was used as a positive control. The assay was carried out in duplicate.

Determination of MIC

MIC was determined with the broth dilution method. The test solution and all standard drugs were prepared at a concentration of 2048 μg mL-1 in distilled dimethylsulfoxide and treated as stock solutions. Briefly, 1 mL of RPMI 1640 medium was dispensed into a sterile 7 mL bijou tube (Sterilin Limited, UK). Ten tubes were required for each experiment and each experiment was done in duplicate. Tubes #9 and #10 were used as the positive growth control (no tested compound) and the negative control for the medium sterility (no microorganism), respectively. A 1-mL (2048 μg mL-1) aliquot of the tested compound was pipetted into tube #1 and mixed well for a concentration of 1024 μg mL-1. Then, 1 mL was transferred from tube #1 to tube #2 for a twofold dilution (512 μg mL-1). This procedure was repeated down to tube #8, for a concentration of 8 μg mL-1 in tube #8. One milliliter was discarded from tube #8. Then, 1 mL of inoculum (1-5x105 CFU/mL) was added to each of the eight tubes to give a final concentration of 0.5-2.5x105 CFU/mL and to make a two-fold dilution of the tested compound. In addition, tube #9 (growth control tube), containing 1 mL of sterile drug-free distilled water, was inoculated with 1 mL of the same inoculum suspension. One milliliter of drug-free medium was added to tube #10 as a sterility control for medium. The inoculated tubes were incubated at 35°C for 20 h. The tubes were inoculated with prepared yeast suspension within 30 min in order to maintain the viable cell concentration. After the incubation period, the results of MIC were recorded manually and interpreted according to the guidelines of the European Committee for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST).

Docking procedure

The docking studies were performed on a PC with Windows Vista Home Premium Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo, 1.83GHz using Autodock vina program (Trott, Olson, 2010TROTT, O.; OLSON, A.J. AutoDock Vina: improving the speed and accuracy of docking with a new scoring function, efficient optimization and multithreading. J. Comput. Chem., v.31, p.455-461, 2010.). The chemical structures of the compounds under study were prepared with a protonation state similar to that found under physiological conditions. The X-ray crystal structure of the 14-α-sterol demethylase (CYP51) enzyme complexed with fluconazole (1EA1) was obtained from the Protein Data Bank (Podust, Poulos, Waterman, 2001PODUST, L.M.; POULOS, T.L.; WATERMAN, M.R. Crystal structure of cytochrome P450 14-α-sterol demethylase (CYP51) from mycobacterium tuberculosis in complex with azole inhibitors. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A., v.98, p.3068, 2001.). The cocrystallized fluconazole structure was docked in its target macromolecule structure using Autodock vina program with its default settings.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Chemistry

Methyl 2-(4-chlorobenzyloxy)benzoate (1) was synthesized through the reaction of methyl 2-hydroxybenzoate with p-chlorobenzyl chloride. Reaction of 1 and hydrazine hydrate yielded the corresponding hydrazide (2). Reaction of 2 with the corresponding isothiocyanate yielded the isothiocyanate derivatives (3-9), which were cyclized in concentrated sulfuric acid resulting in 1,3,4-thiadiazoles (10-16) (Daoud, Al-Obaydi, 2008DAOUD, K.M.; AL-OBAYDI, A.W. Synthesis and antibacterial activity of some hdrazides, substituted thiosemicarbazide, 1,3,4-oxadiazoles, thiadiazoles and 1,2,4-triazoles. Nat. J. Chem., v.31, p.531-542, 2008.). The reflux of 2 in 2 M NaOH yielded the corresponding 1,3,4-triazole-2-thione derivatives (17-23) (Daoud, Al-Obaydi, 2008). The synthetic route of these compounds is given in the scheme. The chemical structures of the synthesized compounds were in accordance with their 1H and 13C NMR spectra. The spectral data are summarized in the material and methods section. 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra were measured in dimethylsulfoxide-d6 for compounds 2-23 at ambient temperature. 1H NMR spectrum of compound 2 showed a characteristic signal at δ 5.24 ppm corresponding to the methylene protons of the p-chlorobenzyloxy moiety. The disappearance of the methyl ester signal and appearance of two signals at δ 4.53 and 9.24 exchangeable with deuterium oxide are consistent with the chemical structure of the hydrazide derivative 2. 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra of the thiosemicarbazide compounds 3-9 showed a similar trend in the chemical shift of the common part of the molecular backbone. In the 1H NMR spectra, the presence of a singlet at δ 5.24-5.32 ppm was assigned to the methylene protons of the p-chlorobenzyloxy moiety, and the three singlets exchangeable with deuterium oxide at δ 9.15-9.52, 9.48-10.04, and 10.09-10.18 ppm were assigned to the thiosemicarbazide NH protons. The 13C-NMR spectra showed characteristic signals at δ 69.37-69.7, 165.02-165.78, and 180.76-182.23 ppm due to the methylene carbon of the p-chlorobenzyloxy substituent, C=O, and C=S, respectively. The 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra of the triazole compounds 10-16 were characterized by the absence of the amide and thioamide signals. In the 1H NMR spectra, the methylene protons of the p-chlorobenzyloxy moiety resonated at δ 4.6-5.16 ppm. In compound 11, the allyl substituent showed a singlet at δ 4.36 due to an allylic methylene, a doublet at δ 5.11, a doublet at δ 5.16 due to trans and cis protons of vinylic methylene, and a multiplet at 5.67 due to vinylic methine. In compounds 12-14, the methyl protons of tolyl groups resonated at δ 2.31, 2.38, and 2.26 ppm, respectively. In compound 16, two characteristic signals of the isopropyl group appeared as a doublet at δ 1.13 and a multiplet at δ 4.48. In the 13C NMR spectra, the methylene carbon of the p-chlorobenzyloxy substituent resonated at δ 69.04-70.42 ppm while the C-2 and C-5 of the thiadiazole ring resonated at δ 150.1-157.02 and 164.3-169.04 ppm, respectively. The 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra of the triazole compounds 17-23 showed two singlets at δ 3.25-4.26 and 4.47-5.28 ppm due to the SH and methylene protons, respectively, of the p-chlorobenzyloxy substituent. In addition, the methyl protons of the tolyl moiety in compounds 19-21 resonated at δ 2.14, 2.26, and 1.99 ppm, respectively. Compound 23 showed two additional characteristic signals of the isopropyl group as a doublet at δ 1.17 and a multiplet at δ 4.25 ppm. In the 13C NMR spectra, the methylene carbon of the p-chlorobenzyloxy substituent resonated at δ 69.04-70.29 ppm, while the C-2 and C-5 of the triazole ring resonated at δ 166.38-169.11 and 152.08-158.32 ppm, respectively.

Scheme
Synthetic pathway of compounds 1-23.

Anti -Candida albicans screening

Fluconazole has been widely used for treatment of fungal infections, but its extensive clinical use has led to the development of drug resistance (Pfaller et al., 2010PFALLER, M.A.; DIEKEMA, D.J. Epidemiology of invasive mycoses in North America. Crit. Rev. Microbiol., v.36, p.1-53, 2010.). The in vitro anti-candida activity of the synthesized compounds 3-23 was evaluated against C. albicans. The obtained data, expressed as the diameter of the inhibition zone (DIZ) and minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) for the test compounds and for the reference drug fluconazole are presented in Table I. Compounds 3-9 were found to be inactive against C. albicans, while compounds 10-23 showed promising antifungal activity with DIZ = 13-18 mm towards C. This suggests that the cyclization of the biologically inactive thiosemicarbazides 3-9 into thiadiazole or triazole rings developed biologically active compounds against C. albicans at a concentration of 100 µg mL-1. In other words, the heterocyclic ring in these compounds is crucial for their antifungal activity. Compounds 10-23 showed MIC values in the range of 0.08-0.17 µmol mL-1, while the MIC value of fluconazole was 0.052 µmol mL-1. Compounds 11 and 18 were found to be the most active, with MIC values of 0.08 µmol mL-1. The allyl substituent at position 4 of the heterocyclic ring showed higher activity than the phenyl, tolyl, or isopropyl substituents. Basically, the small bulk size of the allyl group is proposed to be related to the high activity of the compound. For optimization of antifungal activity and in view of these results, further studies will be suggested to be undertaken starting with the two lead compounds 11 and 18.

TABLE I
AntiCandida albicans activity of compounds 10-23 (100 μg mL-1)

Docking Procedure

The comparative study of the binding mode of the synthesized compounds and the drug fluconazole with the binding site of the CYP51 protein was done using Autodock vina (Trott, Olson, 2010TROTT, O.; OLSON, A.J. AutoDock Vina: improving the speed and accuracy of docking with a new scoring function, efficient optimization and multithreading. J. Comput. Chem., v.31, p.455-461, 2010.). From the protein data bank, the X-ray structure of the enzyme bound with fluconazole (FCZ) was obtained; PDB code: 1EA1 (Podust, Poulos, Waterman, 2001PODUST, L.M.; POULOS, T.L.; WATERMAN, M.R. Crystal structure of cytochrome P450 14-α-sterol demethylase (CYP51) from mycobacterium tuberculosis in complex with azole inhibitors. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A., v.98, p.3068, 2001.). The docking procedure was confirmed based on the RMSD value difference of 0.432 Å of the pose of the nonrestricted redocked FCZ into the binding site of the CYP51 from the co-crystallized FCZ (Figure 1). The binding domain shows a hydrophobic pocket surrounded by the side chains of Tyr 76, Phe 78, Met 79, Phe 83, Arg 96, Met 99, Leu 100, Ser 252, Met 253, Phe 255, Ala 256, His 259, Thr 260, Leu 321, Ile 323, Met 433, and Val 434 (Figure 2). The docking results of compound 18 revealed that its triazole ring occupied the same position inside the binding site and showed the same orientation as the triazole moiety of the co-crystallized FCZ with 1EA1 (Figure 2). The triazole ring is oriented near the heme molecule inside the binding domain and is surrounded by the side chains of Phe 255, Ala 256, His 259, and Thr 260. The p-chlorophenyl moiety overlaid the second triazole ring FCZ, showing hydrophobic interaction with the side chains of Leu 321, Ile 323, Met 433, and Val 434. In addition, the allyl substituent is oriented in the same binding pocket of the difluorophenyl moiety of FCZ, showing hydrophobic interaction with the side chains of Phe 83, Arg 96, Met 99, Leu 100, Ser 252, and Met 253.

FIGURE 1
The co-crystallized fluconazol FCZ (from 1EA1.pdb, colored cyan) overlaid onto the redocked fluconazol (colored magenta).

FIGURE 2
The 3D diagram showing the interaction between the 1EA1.pdb structure and compound 18 (sticks, blue) overlaid on fluconazol FCZ x-ray ligand (stick, orange).

CONCLUSION

A novel series of thiosemicarbazide derivatives of methyl o-chlorobenzylysalicylate and its cyclized forms, 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine and 2H-1,2,4-triazole-3(4H)-thione, has been synthesized and screened for anti-Candida albicans activity. Variable and promising anti-Candida albicans activity was observed in the synthesized compounds 10-23; these compounds had MIC values in the range of 0.08-0.17 µmol mL-1, while the MIC value of fluconazole was 0.05 µmol mL-1. Compounds 11 and 18 were found to be the most active, with MIC values of 0.08 µmol mL-1. In addition, an in silico docking study of compound 18 with X-ray structure of 14-α-sterol demethylase (CYP51) active site domain (1EA1) postulated that the designed compound may act on the same enzyme target as the fluconazole x-ray structure. A good correlation was found between the in silico generated model and the reported X-ray structure, with similar hydrogen bonding and orientation inside the binding site.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the deanship of Scientific Research at King Saud University for its funding of this research through the research Group Project no. RG-1435-080. The author (F. K. A.) appreciate the Kayyali Chair for Pharmaceutical Industries to his support 2016.

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    2017

History

  • Received
    02 Dec 2015
  • Accepted
    21 Oct 2016
Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, n. 580, 05508-000 S. Paulo/SP Brasil, Tel.: (55 11) 3091-3824 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: bjps@usp.br