Shikimate dehydrogenase, an essential protein for the biosynthesis of the chorismate end product, is a highly promising therapeutic target, especially for the discovery and development of new-generation anti-TB agents. Following up the identification of one lead 3,6-disubstituted 1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazole (1), targeting Mt SD in our previous study, an extensive SAR study for optimization of the lead compound was performed through systematic modification of the 3 and 6 positions. This study has successfully led to the discovery of two highly potent advanced leads 6d-4, 6c-4 and several other compounds with comparable potencies (6d-4, MIC-H37Rv = 0.5 μg mL⁻¹; MIC-MDRTB = 4.0 μg mL⁻¹; MIC-RDRTB = 0.5 μg mL⁻¹; Mt SD-IC50 = 14.20 μg mL⁻¹; and 6c-4, MIC-H37Rv = 0.5 μg mL⁻¹; MIC-MDRTB = 4.0 μg mL⁻¹; MIC-RDRTB = 1.0 μg mL⁻¹; Mt SD-IC50 = 6.82 μg mL⁻¹). These advanced lead compounds possess a para-halogen phenyl at the 3 position. In vitro Mt SD inhibitory assay indicates that Mt SD is the target for their antitubercular activity. Moreover, the BacT/ALERT 3D liquid culture technology and in vitro Mt SD inhibitory assay were initially applied.

Protein kinase B (PknB) is an essential serine/threonine protein kinase required for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) cell division and cell-wall biosynthesis. A high throughput screen using PknB identified a (E)-4-oxo-crotonic acid inhibitor, named YH-8, which was used as a scaffold for SAR investigations. A significant improvement in enzyme affinity was achieved. The results indicated that the α,β-unsaturated ketone scaffold and “trans-” configuration are essential for the activity against PknB. And compounds with an aryl group, especially with electron-withdrawing substituents on benzene ring, exhibited four fold potency than that of YH-8.

A series of novel 7-(3-amino-6,7-dihydro-2-methyl-2H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin- 5(4H)-yl)fluoroquinolone derivatives were designed, synthesized and characterized by ¹H-NMR, MS and HRMS. These fluoroquinolones were evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial activity against representative Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains. Results reveal that most of the target compounds exhibit good growth inhibitory potency against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) (MIC: 0.25–4 μg/mL) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (MIC: 0.25–1 μg/mL). In addition, compound 8f is 8–128 fold more potent than the reference drugs gemifloxacin (GM), moxifloxacin (MX), ciprofloxacin (CP) and levofloxacin (LV) against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus 10-05 and Streptococcus hemolyticus 1002 and 2–64 fold more active against methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus 10-03 and 10-04.