The liquid chromatography in tandem with mass spectrometer analysis of Leptadenia reticulata leaf extracts identified 14 different and 3 common phytochemicals, including bioactive compounds such as isoferulic acid, caffeic acid, and quercetin derivatives, which are known for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. In antimicrobial assays, both the aqueous (DB-L2) and methanolic (DB-L1) extracts demonstrated significant growth inhibition across all tested strains, with the aqueous extract showing exceptional potency against Bacillus subtilis, effectively outperforming the standard. Safety evaluations using the zebrafish embryo model revealed that the extracts possess a high safety margin, as no lethal toxicity or significant developmental deformities were observed at concentrations up to 2000 µg/mL.

A one-pot method was developed for synthesizing pyrazolo[4′,3′:5,6]pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-5-ones using the recyclable ionic liquid catalyst [BMIM]OAc in ethanol under reflux conditions. This approach achieved high yields (76–95%) across various substrates along with straightforward product isolation and catalyst recyclability. The synthesized compounds 4(a–l) were tested for antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and fungal strains. Notably, compounds 4c and 4e showed strong antibacterial effects against S. aureus (MIC: 8 µg mL⁻¹), while 4a, 4b, and 4f effectively inhibited E. coli (MIC: 8 µg mL⁻¹). Compound 4l exhibited notable antifungal activity against C. albicans (MIC: 8 µg mL⁻¹), outperforming the standard drugs. Cytotoxicity assessment on HEK293 cells revealed low toxicity in most derivatives (IC₅₀ > 50 µM), with halogenated analogs (4c, 4e) displaying moderate activity but remaining less toxic than doxorubicin. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations confirmed stable interactions of key compounds (4c, 4e, 4f) with bacterial Tet repressor class D and fungal sterol 14-α demethylase, consistent with experimental data. Overall, this ionic liquid-catalyzed approach provides an efficient route to bioactive heterocycles with promising antimicrobial and anticancer potential.

CSA-mediated green synthesis of pyrazolo[4,3- f ]quinolines in ethanol shows high atom economy and low E -factor with gram-scale feasibility. The compounds exhibit promising antimicrobial and anticancer activity.