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The increasing challenge of antibiotic resistance stimulates the search for novel antibacterial agents, especially such that would be effective against multi-drug resistant bacterial strains. Fortunately, natural compounds are excellent sources of potentially new drug leads. Particularly interesting in this context are polyether antibiotic salinomycin (SAL) and its semi-synthetic derivatives, as they exhibit large spectrum of bioactivity. We synthesized and evaluated the antibacterial activity of a series of SAL analogs; four singly (2–3, 15, 17) and two doubly modified (16, 18) derivatives were found to show excellent inhibitory activity not only against planktonic Gram(+) bacterial cells, but also towards select strains of methicillin-resistant staphylococci with the MIC values of 1–4 µg mL−1. Of note, the most promising candidates were more effective in preventing bacterial biofilm formation than unmodified SAL and a commonly used antibiotic – ciprofloxacin. Furthermore, we proved that rational modification of C20 hydroxyl of SAL may reduce genotoxic properties of the obtained analogs. Mechanistically, the structure-activity relationship studies suggested that electroneutral transport mechanism could be beneficial in terms of ensuring high antibacterial activity of SAL derivatives.

A series of 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethylthiourea derivatives were prepared by condensation of 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethanamine with appropriate aryl/alkylisothiocyanates in anhydrous media. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were confirmed by spectroscopic analysis and the molecular structures of 8 and 28 were confirmed by X-ray crystallography. All obtained compounds were tested for antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive cocci, Gram-negative rods and for antifungal activity. Microbiological evaluation was carried out over 20 standard strains and 30 hospital strains. Compound 6 showed significant inhibition against Gram-positive cocci and had inhibitory effect on the S. aureus topoisomerase IV decatenation activity and S. aureus DNA gyrase supercoiling activity. Compounds were tested for cytotoxicity and antiviral activity against a large panel of DNA and RNA viruses, including HIV-1 and other several important human pathogens. Interestingly, derivative 8 showed potent activity against HIV-1 wild type and variants bearing clinically relevant mutations. Newly synthesized tryptamine derivatives showed also a wide spectrum activity, proving to be active against positive- and negative-sense RNA viruses.

A series of 10 amine derivatives of colchicine have been obtained with high yields by modification at C(10)-OCH3 position of C-ring and characterized by spectroscopic methods. In vitro cytotoxicity has been evaluated against four human tumour cell lines (HL-60, HL-60/vinc, LoVo, LoVo/DX), as well as antibacterial activity against clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE). From among the compounds tested the most active is colchicine derivative 2h with bis(2-methoxyethyl)amine substituent which is active in nanomolar to submicromolar concentrations and is several times more cytotoxic than cisplatin and doxorubicin. This compound is also effective against the methicillin-resistant Staphylococci strains.

A series of 12 novel monosubstituted N-benzyl amides of salinomycin (SAL) was synthesized for the first time and characterized by NMR and FT-IR spectroscopic methods. Molecular structures of three salinomycin derivatives in the solid state were determined using single crystal X-ray method. All compounds obtained were screened for their antiproliferative activity against various human cancer cell lines as well as against the most problematic bacteria strains such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE), and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Novel salinomycin derivatives exhibited potent anticancer activity against drug-resistant cell lines. Additionally, two N-benzyl amides of salinomycin revealed interesting antibacterial activity. The most active were N-benzyl amides of SAL substituted at -ortho position and the least anticancer active derivatives were those substituted at the -para position.

A series of 4-arylthiosemicarbazides substituted at the N1 position with a 5-membered heteroaryl ring was synthesized and evaluated in vitro for T. gondii inhibition proliferation and host cell cytotoxicity. At non-toxic concentrations for the host cells all studied compounds displayed excellent anti-parasitic effects when compared to sulfadiazine, indicating a high selectivity of their anti-T. gondii activity. The differences in bioactivity investigated by DFT calculations suggest that the inhibitory activity of 4-aryl-thiosemicarbazides towards T. gondii proliferation is connected with the electronic structure of the molecule. Further, these compounds were tested as potential antibacterial agents. No growth-inhibiting effect on any of the test microorganisms was observed for all the compounds, even at high concentrations.

A series of 12 novel ester derivatives of naturally occurring polyether antibiotic - salinomycin were synthesized, characterised by spectroscopic method and evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity. The new esters were demonstrated to form complexes with monovalent and divalent metal cation of 1:1 stoichiometry in contrast to the salinomycin which forms only complexes with monovalent cations. All the obtained compounds show potent antiproliferative activity against human cancer cell lines and a good selectivity index for cancer versus mammalian cells. Additionally, 3 compounds showed higher antiproliferative activity against the drug-resistant cancer cells and lower toxicity towards normal cells than those of unmodified salinomycin and standard anticancer drugs such as cisplatin and doxorubicin. Some of the synthesized compounds showed good inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus strains and clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE). These studies show that salinomycin esters are interesting scaffolds for the development of novel anticancer and Gram-positive antibacterial agents.

A series of 11 novel amides of salinomycin were synthesized for the first time. All the obtained compounds were found to show potent antiproliferative activity against human cancer cell lines including the drug-resistant cancer cells. Four new salinomycin derivatives revealed good antibacterial activity against clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE).

In a reaction of hydrazides of cyclohexylacetic acid 1 and phenylacetic acid 2 with isothiocyanates, respective thiosemicarbazide derivatives 3–18 were obtained. Further cyclization with 2% NaOH led to the formation of 5-(cyclohexylmethyl/benzyl)-4-substituted-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones 19–34. Structures of all new products were confirmed by analytical and spectroscopic methods. All compounds were screened for their in vitro activity against some species of bacteria and fungi. [Supplementary materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition ofPhosphorus, Sulfer, and Silicon and the Related Elements for the following free supplemental files: Additional figures and tables.]

A series of new Monensin A dimers linked by diurethane moiety were synthesised and their molecular structures were studied using ESI-MS, FT-IR, 1 H and 13 C NMR and PM5 methods. The results showed that the compounds form a pseudo-cyclic structure stabilized by three intramolecular hydrogen bonds and the sodium cation was coordinated by five oxygen atoms of polyether skeleton of Monensin moiety. The NMR and FT-IR data of complexes of Monensin urethane sodium salts demonstrated that within the pseudo-cyclic structure the carbonyl oxygen atom of the urethane group did not coordinate the sodium cation. Monensin urethanes were tested in vitro for the activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi as well as against a series of clinical isolates of Staphylococcus : methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA). The most active compound against MRSA and MSSA was 1,4-phenylene diurethane of Monensin with MIC 10.4–41.4 μmol/L).

Two new complexes of the ionophore antibiotic Lasalocid acid (LAS) with phenylamine (PhA) and butylamine (BuA) were synthesized and their molecular structures were studied using single crystal X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic methods. In the solid state both amines are protonated and all NH 3 + protons are hydrogen bonded to etheric, hydroxyl and carboxylic oxygen atoms of the LAS anion. In chloroform solutions the structure observed in the crystal of LAS–BuA complex is preserved and an equilibrium between the LAS–PhA complex and dissociated Lasalocid acid and phenylamine is observed. In vitro antimicrobial tests of the complexes showed a significant activity towards some strains of Gram-positive bacteria. For the first time Lasalocid acid and its complexes with amines were tested in vitro for cytotoxic activity against human cancer cell lines: A-549 (lung), MCF-7 (breast), HT-29 (colon) and mouse cancer cell line P-388 (leukemia). We found that LAS and its complexes are strong cytotoxic agents towards all tested cell lines. The cytostatic activity of the compounds studied is greater than that of cisplatin, indicating that Lasalocid and its complexes are promising candidates for new anticancer drugs.

A series of new thiourea derivatives of 1,2,4-triazole have been synthesized. The difference in structures of obtained compounds are directly connected with the kind of isothiocyanate (aryl/alkyl). The 1H NMR, 13C NMR, MS methods were used to confirm structures of obtained thiourea derivatives. The molecular structure of (1, 17) was determined by an X-ray analysis. Two of the new compounds (8 and 14) were tested for their pharmacological activity on animal central nervous system (CNS) in behavioural animal tests. The results presented in this work indicate the possible involvement of the serotonergic system in the activity of 8 and 14. In the case of 14 is also a possible link between its activity and the endogenous opioid system. All obtained compounds were tested for antibacterial activity against Gram-positive cocci, Gram-negative rods and antifungal activity. Compounds (1, 2, 5, 7, 9) showed significant inhibition against Gram-positive cocci. Microbiological evaluation was carried out over 20 standard strains and 30 hospital strains. Selected compounds (1–13) were examined for cytotoxicity, antitumor, and anti-HIV activity.

The unexpectedly stable benzotriazole ester of salinomycin (SAL-HOBt) – an intermediate product of the amidation reaction of salinomycin has been isolated and structurally characterised (using a single crystal) by X-ray, FT-IR, NMR and semiempirical methods. The results of the X-ray and spectroscopic studies demonstrated that this intermediate ester exist in the solid state and in solution exclusively as the stable O–acyl form. The molecular structure of SAL-HOBt is stabilised by relatively weak intramolecular hydrogen bonds. The PM5 calculation of possible structures of SAL-HOBt has shown that the O–acyl form is more energetically favourable than its N–oxide–N–acyl isomers. The antimicrobial tests show that SAL-HOBt is active against Gram-positive bacteria and clinical isolates methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 1–2 μg/ml).

For the first time a direct and practical approach to the synthesis of eight amide derivatives of polyether antibiotic-salinomycin is described. The structure of allyl amide (3a) has been determined using X-ray diffraction. Salinomycin and its amide derivatives have been screened for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against the typical gram-positive cocci, gram-negative rods and yeast-like organisms, as well as against a series of clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus. Amides of salinomycin have been found to show a wide range of activities, from inactive at 256 μg/mL to active with MIC of 2 μg/mL, comparable with salinomycin. As a result, phenyl amide (3b) was found to be the most active salinomycin derivative against gram-positive bacteria, MRSA and MSSA.

4-Benzoyl-1-(4-methyl-imidazol-5-yl)-carbonylthiosemicarbazide (1) was synthesized, and its antibacterial and type IIA topoisomerase (DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV) activity evaluated. (1) was found to have high therapeutic potential against opportunistic Gram-positive bacteria, and inhibitory activity against topoisomerase IV (IC(50)=90 μM) but not against DNA gyrase. An increase in activity against topoisomerase IV (IC(50)=14 μM) was observed when the imidazole moiety of (1) was replaced with the indole group in 4-benzoyl-1-(indol-2-yl)-carbonylthiosemicarbazide (2). However, (2) showed only weak antibacterial activity. Although the results of the bacterial type IIA topoisomerases inhibition study did not parallel antibacterial activities, our observations strongly imply that a 4-benzoylthiosemicarbazide scaffold can be developed into an efficient Gram-positive antibacterial targeting topoisomerase IV. The difference in activity against type IIA topoisomerases between (1) and (2) was further investigated by docking studies, which suggested that these compounds target the ATP binding pocket.

A new quaternary ammonium compound, bis-[2-hydroxy-3-(1,7,8,9,10-pentamethyl-3,5-dioxo-4-aza-tricyclo[5.2.1.0(2,6)]dec-8-en-4-yloxy)-propyl]-dimethyl-ammonium chloride (4), was synthesized. The compound was investigated for antibacterial activity, including Gram-positive cocci and Gram-negative rods, and antifungal activity. Compound 4 showed significant inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus. Research was carried out over 4 standard strains and 40 hospital strains. Elementary analysis and/or MS, (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR spectra confirmed the identity of the products. The molecular structure of 3 was determined by an X-ray analysis.

For the first time, a series of tertiary amides of polyether antibiotic—Salinomycin have been obtained and screened for their antibacterial activity against different strains of bacteria, including Bacillus anthracis and clinical methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE). Moreover, biofilm inhibition of MRSE and genotoxicity tests against Bacillus subtilis have been performed. Our studies show that Salinomycin and its some derivatives are active against tested bacteria and exhibited definitely bacteriostatic, not bactericidal activity.

As part of our program to develop anticancer agents, we have synthesized new compounds, which are conjugates between well-known anticancer drug, floxuridine and salinomycin which is able to selectivity kill cancer stem cells. The conjugates were obtained in two ways i.e. by copper(I) catalysed click Huisgen cycloaddition reaction performed between 3′-azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-5-fluorouridine and salinomycin propargyl amide, and by the ester synthesis starting from salinomycin and floxuridine under mild condition. The compounds obtained were characterized by spectroscopic methods and evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity against seven human cancer cell lines as well as antibacterial activity against clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE). The conjugate obtained by esterification reaction showed a significantly higher antiproliferative activity against the drug-resistant cancer cells and lower toxicity than those of salinomycin and floxuridine towards normal cells, as well as standard anticancer drugs, such as cisplatin and doxorubicin. The conjugate compound revealed also moderate activity against MRSA and MRSE bacterial strains. Very high activity of floxuridine and 5-fluorouracil against MRSA and MRSE has been also observed.

1-(indol-2-carbonyl)-4-(4-nitrophenyl)-thiosemicarbazide was synthesized and antibacterial and type IIA topoisomerases (DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV) activity was evaluated. It was found that it shows activity against Gram-positive bacteria with MICs of 50 μg/mL and inhibitory action against topoisomerase IV with an IC(50) of 14 μM. Although modification of its structure resulted in molecules with a lower biological profile, our observations strongly implicate that thiosemicarbazide derivatives participate in at least two different mechanisms of antibacterial activity; one is connected with the inhibition of topoisomerase IV, while the nature of the other cannot be elucidated from the limited data collected thus far. The differences in bioactivity further investigated by the molecular modeling approach and docking studies suggest that inhibitory activity of 4-arylthiosemicarbazides is connected with electronic structure rather than the geometry of the molecule.

Monensin A phenylurethane sodium salt (MON-UR1-Na) crystals were studied by the X-ray, NMR, FT-IR and PM5 semi-empirical methods. The X-ray data show that the compound forms a pseudocyclic structure, stabilized by three intramolecular hydrogen bonds, and the sodium cation coordinated by five oxygen atoms in the hydrophilic sphere. The NMR and FT-IR data demonstrate that this pseudocyclic structure is also conserved in CH(2)Cl(2) solution. This structure of MON-UR1-Na is significantly different than the ones previously proposed by Westley et al. and Tanaka et al. The semi-empirical calculations of the MON-UR1-Na structures indicate that the one of the crystal is the most energetically favorable one. Other parameters, such as the size, chemical and biological nature of the urethane substituent, and especially the free carbonyl urethane group, may have a role in the biological activity of MON-UR1-Na. The in vitro microbiological tests provide evidence that MON-UR1-Na shows higher antibacterial activity against human pathogenic bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis than the parent unmodified antibiotic-Monensin A.

The synthesized compounds are screened for their antibacterial activity, but only three of the tested substances show weak potency against Gram-positive bacteria.

The ability of N-phenylamide of monensin A (M-AM1) to form complexes with Li(+), Na(+) and K(+) cations is studied by ESI MS, (1)H and (13)C NMR, FT-IR spectroscopy and PM5 semi-empirical methods. ESI mass spectrometry indicates that M-AM1 forms complexes with the Li(+), Na(+) and K(+) cations of exclusively 1:1 stoichiometry which are stable up to cv = 90 V, and the formation of the complex with the Na(+) cation is strongly favoured. In the ESI MS spectra measured at cv = 110 V the fragmentation of the respective complexes, involving several dehydration steps, is observed. The spectroscopic studies show that the structures of M-AM1 and its complexes with Li(+), Na(+) and K(+) cations are stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonds in which OH groups are always involved. The CO amide group is shown to be engaged in the complexation process of each cation. However, there is a complex with K(+) cation in whose structure this CO amide group does not participate to a significant extent. The in vitro biological tests of M-AM1 amide have proved its good activity towards some strains of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE).

A series of thiourea derivatives of 4-azatricyclo[5.2.2.0(2,6)]undec-8-ene-3,5-dione were synthesized. The compounds were investigated for antibacterial activity, including Gram-positive cocci, Gram-negative rods, and antifungal activity. Compounds 1b, 2b, 4b showed significant inhibition against Gram-positive cocci. Research was carried out over 10 standard strains and 20 hospital strains. Synthesized compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity and anti-HIV-1 activity in MT-4 cells.

Using Gossypol (GOS) extracted from cotton seeds, a series of its Schiff bases (1-18) and hydrazones (19-27) have been synthesized and evaluated for their antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and yeast-like organisms. Of the 27 aza-derivatives of gossypol, 11 have been found active against the microorganisms tested, similar to gossypol. Crystal structures of the new Schiff base (compound 7) and hydrazone (compound 25) of gossypol reveal the presence of two different tautomers within two types of the aza-derivatives studied. The newly synthesized aza-derivatives of gossypol are characterized by the FT-IR, NMR and MS methods.

Intramolecular proton transfer in rifampicin (1) and its analogues 2-9 with the formation of zwitterions has been indicated by multinuclear NMR and crystallographic studies. Biological tests of 1-9 in combination with the analysis of ligand-protein interactions have revealed the relationship between the protonation site and extremely high antibacterial activity.