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1-Oxacephem derivatives were evaluated as a novel series of chymase inhibitors. The structure-activity relationship studies of 1-oxacephems led to compounds 15, which exhibited 27 nM inhibition of human chymase and improvement of stability in human plasma (t 1/2 1.5 h).

In an effort to discover a novel cefozopran (CZOP) derivative having excellent antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), we performed chemical modification of the alkoxyimino moiety and imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazinium group of CZOP. Among the prepared compounds, the cyclopentyloxyimino derivative 7beta-[2-(5-amino-1,2,4-thiadiazol-3-yl)-2(Z)-cyclopentyloxyiminoacetamido]-3-(3,6-diaminoimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazinium-1-yl)methyl-3-cephem-4-carboxylate (20 g) showed the most potent anti-MRSA activity, reflecting its high affinity (IC50 = 1.6 microg/ml) for penicillin binding protein 2' (PBP2'), although its anti-MRSA activity was slightly inferior to that of vancomycin (VCM). In experimental systemic infection in mice, however, 20 g showed activity comparable to that of VCM against MRSA. In addition, 20 g showed activity similar or slightly inferior to that of CZOP against Pseudomonas aeruginosa both in vitro and in vivo. Considering its favorable antibacterial activity profile, 20 g was considered to be the most promising CZOP derivative for further studies.

In order to improve the antibacterial activity of cefozopran (CZOP) against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), we initiated chemical modification to introduce a 2-(5-amino-1,2,4-thiadiazol-3-yl)-2(Z)-hydroxyimino acetyl group at the C-7 position and a 3- or 6-substituted imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazinium or 5-substituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyridinium group at the C-3' position. Although this approach successfully enhanced the anti-MRSA activity of CZOP two to eight times, a slight decrease in the activity against Gram-negative bacteria including Pseudomonas aeruginosa was involved. Among the novel derivatives, 3-(6-aminoimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazinium-1-yl)methyl-7beta-[2-(5-amino-1,2,4-thiadiazol-3-yl)-2(Z)hydroxyiminoacetamido]-3-cephem-4-carboxylate (44a) showed an excellent balance of activity against MRSA and Gram-negative bacteria.

SAR studies in a series of 3-heteroarylthio substituted cephalosporins established that high activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can be achieved with various heteroaryl substituents. Early results showed that highly lipophilic 3-heteroarylthio substituents, which were necessary for anti-MRSA activity, caused high affinity of such cephems toward serum proteins. Our earlier published efforts described discovery of zwitterionic cephems MC-02,331 and RWJ-54428 (MC-02,479), where serum binding was reduced by employing basic, positively charged functionalities attached to the 3-heteroarylthio substituent. In order to avoid low solubility problems associated with most such zwitterionic cephalosporins a wide variety of non-basic heteroaryl substituents was tested (non-zwitterionic cephems are more easily formulated as water soluble sodium salts for intravenous administration). Considerable reduction in serum binding was obtained in some analogs while maintaining high anti-MRSA potency.

The variety of cephalosporins 1 and 2 which possessed C(3)-aminopyrimidinyl substituents were prepared and evaluated for their antibacterial activities. They exhibited excellent in vitro activities especially against respiratory tract pathogens such as penicillin resistant Streptococcus pneumonia. Moraxella catarrhalis and Haemophilus influenza.

[structure: see text] The cephalosporin antibiotic Cefadroxil can be epimerized at the alpha-carbon of its amino acid side chain using pyridoxal as the mediator. By clathration with 2,7-dihydroxynaphthalene, the desired diastereomer can be selectively withdrawn from the equilibrating mixture of epimers. In this way, an asymmetric transformation of Cefadroxil can be accomplished. This opens the possibility of the production of Cefadroxil starting from racemic p-hydroxyphenylglycine, in contrast to the current industrial synthesis that employs the D-amino acid in enantiopure form.

The synthesis and optimization of the anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of a novel series of cephem derivatives are described. Introduction of thio-heterocyclic groups containing N- and S-atoms to the 3-position and phenyl or thienyl acetamido groups to the 7-position of the cephem nucleus dramatically improved the activity. From this series of derivatives, compound 13i was found to have extremely potent in vitro anti-H. pylori activity, superior therapeutic efficacy compared to AMPC and CAM, no cross-resistance between CAM or MNZ and low potential for causing diarrhea due to instability to beta-lactamase.

Nine new cephalosporines containing a pyrrole ring in the N-acyl chain have been synthesized by the N-acylation of 7-ACA or of its 3-analogues via the acid chlorides of substituted 2-pyrrole-carboxylic, -acetic or -propionic acids. H1 NMR and IR data confirming the structure are presented. Preliminary microbiological tests in vitro show significant antibacterial activity, compared with that of cefalexin. Some common structure-activity relationships have been observed.

New semisynthetic penicillins and cephalosporins have been synthesized by acylation of 6 beta-aminopenicillanic, 7 beta-aminocephalosporanic and 7 beta-aminodesacetoxycephalosporanic acids with ortho-substituted aromatic acids, using the method of mixed anhydrides. The chemical structures of the compounds obtained were confirmed by elemental analysis and by IR- and 1H-NMR spectra. Antibacterial activities of the compounds were determined by the macrodilution susceptibility test in brain-heart infusion broth. Test organisms producing beta-lactamases: Bacillus subtilis L2, Bacillus subtilis HB2, Bacillus cereus 30, Bacillus subtilis 6633 ATCC, Bacillus mycoides 924; Staphylococcus aureus 1/45 "Oxford" as Gram-positive bacteria, and Escherichia coli 111, Escherichia coli K12/F-¿lac-/, Escherichia coli K12/F-¿lambda-/, Escherichia coli K12/F-¿lambda-¿lac+/ as Gram-negative bacteria. In general, the derivatives of 6 beta-aminopenicillanic acid were more active than 7 beta-aminocephalosporanic and 7 beta-aminodesacetoxycephalosporanic acid derivatives. Among all the compounds synthesized 6 beta-[4'-(dimethylamino)-azobenzene-2-amido]penicillanic acid and 6 beta-(N-phenylanthranilamido)penicillanic acid showed the best activity and were with the broadest spectrum of action.

Cephalosporins with 3-pyazolylpyridinium at C-3 position, which is supposed to exhibit synergic activity of ceftazidime and cefoselis, were synthesized and their antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative was inspected.

The new cephalosporins having N-linked quarternary ammonium salt at C-3 position were prepared from the reaction of 2-methylimino-3-methyl-1,3-thiazoline derivatives with cephalosporins. Also antimicrobial activities of those compounds were determined.

A series of 2-substituted-7-(alkylidene)cephalosporin sulfones were prepared and evaluated as beta-lactamase inhibitors. Compound 11c showed excellent activity as an inhibitor of the class C beta-lactamase derived from Enterobacter cloacae, strain P99.

A rapid procedure is reported for the synthesis of cefotaxime, by acylation of the 7-amino cephalosporanic acid with the 2-mercaptobenzothiazolyl thioester of (Z)-2-[2-aminothiazol-4-yl]-2-methoxyimino acetic acid (MAEM) that is a commercial reagent. The reaction was carried out at room temperature for 1 h, obtaining 95% yield. 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole was recovered as a side-product with a high purity and yield. The proposed method differentiates from those reported previously for a shorter time and very mild reaction condition, as well as for a ready for use reagent.

A series of 7beta-[(Z)-2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-hydroxyiminoacetamid o]cephalosporins having a pyridine ring connected through various spacer moieties at the C-3 position was designed and synthesized and evaluated for antibacterial activity and oral absorption in rats. All compounds showed potent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, whereas antibacterial activity against gram-negative bacteria was markedly influenced by the spacer moiety between the pyridine and cephem nucleus. Oral absorption was influenced by the position of the pyridine nitrogen as well as by the spacer moiety. Among these compounds, FR86830 (14), having a 4-pyridylmethylthio moiety at the C-3 position, showed the most well balanced activity and moderate oral absorption.

Selected 7-alkylidene substituted cephems were synthesized and subjected to antitumor assay. The effect of substituents was examined to establish structure-activity relationships. It was found that the intensive intracellular generation of nitric oxide induced by tert-butyl 7-alkylidene cephalosporanate sulfones could be also regarded as an additional cytotoxic factor taking place both in vitro and in vivo experiments.

A series of 3-substituted-7-(alkylidene)cephaloporin sulfones were prepared and evaluated as inhibitors of representative class A and class C serine beta-lactamase. Appropriate substituents resulted in a 1000-fold improvement in the inhibition of the class A enzymes and a simultaneous 20-fold improvement in the inhibition of class C. These new compounds have achieved the goal of creating broad scale inhibitors in the cephalosporin series.

A vinylogous cephalosporine bearing a dihydroxythiophene moiety as a potential catechol surrogate has been synthesised (I-e-beta). Even if the anti staphylococcus spectrum displayed by this compound is of interest, its activity against Pseudomonas species, expected for such a structure, remains disappointing.

A series of 7beta-[(Z)-2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-hydroxyiminoacetamid o]-3-[(E)- and (Z)-2-substituted vinyl]-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acids was designed and synthesized using palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions of a 3-methanesulfonyloxy-3-cephem and an E substituted vinyl stannane or Wittig reaction of a 3-triphenylphosphoniummethyl cephem and an aldehyde as a key step. These compounds were evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activity and oral absorption in rats. A number of them exhibited excellent antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria including Haemophilus influenzae. Among them, FR86524 (2j). having a (Z)-2-(3-pyridyl)vinyl moiety at the C-3 position, had the most well balanced activity. Although FR86254 exhibited low oral absorption, the pivaloyloxymethyl ester (23) of FR86524 showed improved oral absorption.

Several oxazolidinones having amine moiety were prepared to form a quaternary ammonium salt with cephalosporin nucleus, and antibacterial activity of the quaternary ammonium cephalosporin derivatives bearing oxazolidinone moiety were examined particularly with expectation of dual activity. However, the cephalosporin-oxazolidinone compounds revealed rather weaker antibacterial activity in vitro than their parent oxazolidinone and cephalosporin without showing any characteristic activity as expected.

The quaternary ammonium cephalosporin derivatives were prepared with various pyridines substituted at the 3 or/and 4 position. Their in vitro antibacterial activities were determined and substituent effect on pyridine nucleus was studied. Preparation of substituted pyridines are also described.

Ceftizoxime (CZX), a parenteral cephalosporin, has potent and broad antibacterial activity. To improve its oral absorption, we synthesized a series of monofunctional and bifunctional prodrugs of CZX. In rabbits, urinary recovery after oral administration of CZX was improved by esterification of the carboxyl group at the C-4 position with various lipophilic moieties (monofunctional prodrugs), and was further increased by introduction of a hydrophilic L-alanine to the amino group on the thiazole ring at the C-7 position (bifunctional prodrugs). Least-squares analysis showed good parabolic correlations between log P and urinary recovery for monofunctional and bifunctional prodrugs, respectively. AS-924, a bifunctional prodrug with a pivaloyloxymethyl and L-alanyl moiety had the best balance of lipophilicity and water-solubility for oral absorption among the prodrugs synthesized.

12 New cephalosporines containing a pyrrole cycle in the N-acyl chain have been synthesized based on N-acylation of 7-ACA or of its 3'-analogues via the mixed anhydrides of substituted pyrrole carboxylic acids, and following two types of procedure. Confirming 1H NMR and IR data are represented. The preliminary microbiological tests in vitro show significant antibacterial activity in some cases compared with that of cefalexin. Some common structure-activity relationships have been observed.

Some 7-aminocephalosporanic acid (7-ACA) derivatives substituted on the C(7) nitrogen with 2-(arylmethyloxyimino)propionyl (3a-f), 2-(arylmethyloxyamino)propionyl (4a-d) and (arylmethyloxyamino)acetyl (2a-d) moieties were synthesized by reaction of the appropriate acylating agents with 7-ACA protected as a t-butyl ester, followed by removal of the t-butyl protecting group. The new compounds, tested in vitro for their antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, proved to possess a modest activity directed only against Gram-positive microorganisms.

The synthesis and the antimicrobial properties of a new series of cephalosporinic beta-lactam antibiotics is described. The data reported in the present paper show the potential of this type of substituted cephalosporins as new anti Gram-positive antibiotic drugs. In fact, all compounds tested showed a good in vitro antibacterial activity against the most relevant Gram-positive pathogens including resistant species that currently represent unmet medical need. On the contrary, the new synthesized compounds were found to be completely devoid of any activity on Gram-negative bacteria up to a concentration of the single agent of 128 microg/ml.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the stability of ceftiofur (1 mg mL(-1)) in aqueous solutions at various pH (1, 3, 5, 7.4 and 10) and temperature (0, 8, 25, 37 and 60 degrees C) conditions. The ionic strength of all these solutions was maintained at 0.5 M. Ceftiofur solutions at pH 5 and 7.4 and in distilled water (pH = 6.8) were tested at all the above temperatures. All other solutions were tested at 60 degrees C. Over a period of 84 h, the stability was evaluated by quantifying ceftiofur and its degradation product, desfuroylceftiofur, in the incubation solutions. HPLC was used to analyse these compounds. At 60 degrees C, the rate of degradation was significantly higher at pH 7.4 compared with pH 1, 3, 5 and distilled water. At both 60 degrees C and 25 degrees C, degradation in pH 10 buffer was rapid, with no detectable ceftiofur levels present at the end of 10 min incubation. Degradation rate constants of ceftiofur were 0.79+/-0.21, 0.61+/-0.03, 0.44+/-0.05, 1.27+/-0.04 and 0.39+/-0.01 day(-1) at pH 1, 3, 5, 74 and in distilled water, respectively. Formation of desfuroylceftiofur was the highest (65%) at pH 10. The rate of degradation increased in all aqueous solutions with an increase in the incubation temperature. At pH 7.4 the degradation rate constants were 0.06+/-0.01, 0.06+/-0.01, 0.65+/-0.17, and 1.27+/-0.05 day(-1) at 0, 8, 25, 37 and 67 degrees C, respectively. The energy of activation for ceftiofur degradation was 25, 42 and 28 kcal mol(-1) at pH 5, 7.4 and in distilled water, respectively. Desfurylceftiofur formation was the greatest at alkaline pH compared with acidic pH. Ceftiofur degradation accelerated the most at pH 7.4 and was most rapid at pH 10. The results of this study are consistent with rapid clearance of ceftiofur at physiological pH.

The cyclic depsipeptide 8-carboxy-3-phenylacetamido-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one, a cyclic analog of aryl phenaceturates with structural similarity to cephalosporins, has been synthesized as a potential substrate/inhibitor of B-lactam-recognizing enzymes. It was found to be a tight-binding, poor substrate of class A beta-lactamases and an irreversible inhibitor of several DD-peptidases.

Enzymatic synthesis of cephalexin and cefaclor with the use of immobilized aminocephalosporin synthetase from Xanthomonas sp. as a biocatalyst was studied. The employment of a mathematical model based on the acyl-enzyme mechanism of the biocatalyst action was shown possible for the quantitative description of the antibiotic syntheses. A relationship providing determination of the complex of the physico-chemical investigations required for the enzymatic synthesis design was suggested. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the processes were evaluated and the ratios of the maximum conversion of the key amino acids and the initial concentrations of the substrate and nucleophile were calculated. The regions of the model fit to the experimental data within a wide range of the substrate and nucleophile concentrations were defined. The technology for the enzymatic synthesis of aminocephalosporins exemplified by cephalexin and cefaclor was designed.

A new series of cephalosporins having in the C-7 side chain a phenyl- or a phenoxyacetamido group bearing an oxyiminomethyl function in the ortho-position of the aromatic ring was prepared. Their in vitro activity was tested against both Gram+ and Gram- strains.

Preparation and biological activity of prodrug-type 3-methoxymethyl cephalosporins were described. From the mixtures, R- and S-prodrugs were separated and their absolute configurations were determined, and also their bioavailability was investigated.

A dihydroampicillin (3) and a dihydrocephalexin (4) have been synthesized by condensing alpha-(cyclohexa-1, 3-dienyl)glycyl chloride with 6-aminopenicillanic acid (1) and 7-deacetoxycephalosporanic acid (2) respectively. The two antibiotics obtained show enhanced antimicrobial activity towards certain bacterial strains compared with ampicillin and cephalexin.

A series of cephalosporin derivatives with a thiazolopyridinium group at the 3-position was synthesized and evaluated for antibacterial activity. Some of these cephalosporin derivatives having a (5-alkylthiazolo[4,5-c]pyridinium-2-yl)thiomethyl group at the 3-position showed strong activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Among them, 5a showed a good antibacterial spectrum in vitro, and also showed a similar or slightly superior activity to that of ceftazidime in vivo against P. aeruginosa.

Yields of kinetically controlled synthesis of antibiotics catalyzed by penicillin G acylase from Escherichia coli (PGA) have been greatly increased by continuous extraction of water soluble products (cephalexin) away from the surroundings of the enzyme. In this way its very rapid enzymatic hydrolysis has been avoided. Enzymes covalently immobilized inside porous supports acting in aqueous two-phase systems have been used to achieve such improvements of synthetic yields. Before the reaction is started, the porous structure of the biocatalyst can be washed and filled with one selected phase. In this way, when the pre-equilibrated biocatalyst is mixed with the second phase (where the reaction product will be extracted), the immobilized enzyme remains in the first selected phase in spite of its possibly different natural trend. Partition coefficients (K) of cephalexin in very different aqueous two-phase systems were firstly evaluated. High K values were obtained under drastic conditions. The best K value for cephalexin (23) was found in 100% PEG 600-3 M ammonium sulfate where cephalexin was extracted to the PEG phase. Pre-incubation of immobilized PGA derivatives in ammonium sulfate and further suspension with 100% PEG 600 allowed us to obtain a 90% synthetic yield of cephalexin from 150 mM phenylglycine methyl ester and 100 mM 7-amino desacetoxicephalosporanic acid (7-ADCA). In this reaction system, the immobilized enzyme remains in the ammonium sulfate phase and hydrolysis of the antibiotic becomes suppressed because of its continuous extraction to the PEG phase. On the contrary, synthetic yields of a similar process carried out in monophasic systems were much lower (55%) because of a rapid enzymatic hydrolysis of cephalexin., (Copyright 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.)

A series of cephalosporin derivatives with various bicyclic heterocycles at the C-3 position was synthesized and evaluated for antibacterial activity. Among them CP0467 (3a) showed excellent antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (MIC90 = 6.25 microg/mL), and extremely high affinity for the penicillin binding protein 2' of MRSA (I50 = 0.49 microg/mL). Furthermore, 3a showed a long-acting pharmacokinetic profile in mice (AUC(infinity) = 482.3 microg/h/mL and T(1/2) = 1.9 h).

Some coumarin 7-substituted cephalosporins and related sulfones were prepared and an antimicrobial assay was performed. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) carried out on cephalosporins showed a potential activity of some of the synthesized compounds against Gram-positive microorganisms. The tests performed on the corresponding sulfones showed no significant activity, neither as antimicrobial agents nor as inhibitors of beta-lactamase. An association of sulfone 6a with ampicillin was observed to inhibit Gram-positive microorganisms with a lower MIC than for ampicillin alone.

The enhanced stability of the carbacephem nucleus over the corresponding cephalosporin nucleus has allowed the synthesis of 7-arylglycyl-3-trifluoromethyl-carbacephems. These unique carbacephems possess broad spectrum activity and high stability to both plasmid and chromosomally mediated beta-lactamases.

On the course of the preparation of new cephalosporin derivatives with potential HLE inhibiting activity, three new rearrangements were observed. When a 7 beta-aminocephem sulfone (prepared in situ from 2) was diazotized in methanolic HClO4 solution with HNO2, the triazole 3 was prepared in good yield. On the other hand, the 2 alpha-bromocephem 6 rearranged to two different products, depending on the solvent used. When it was allowed to stay in acetonitrile for 7 days, the bromopyrrol 8 was the product, while in acetone, THF or DMF the aromatic side chain brominated product 7 was obtained. In both cases the inverse polarity of the C-2-Br bond and the easily resulting bromonium ion can be regarded responsible for the rearrangements.

The synthesis of C-Mel, a cephalosporin carbamate derivative of the clinically used alkylating agent melphalan, is described. C-Mel was designed as an anticancer nitrogen mustard prodrug that releases melphalan upon tumor-specific activation by targeted beta-lactamase (bL). The Km and kcat values for bL hydrolysis of C-Mel were 218 microM and 980 s(-1), respectively. In vitro cytotoxicity assays with 3677 human melanoma cells demonstrated that C-Mel was 40-fold less toxic than melphalan and was activated in an immunologically specific manner by L49-sFv-bL, a recombinant fusion protein that binds to the melanotransferrin antigen on melanomas and on some carcinomas. L49-sFv-bL in combination with C-Mel led to regressions and cures of established subcutaneous 3677 tumors in nude mice. The effects were significantly greater than those of melphalan, which did not result in any long-term regressions in this tumor model. The therapeutic effects were comparable to those obtained in mice treated with the previously described L49-sFv-bL/7-(4-carboxybutanamido)-cephalosporin mustard (CCM) combination. However, C-Mel may be more attractive than CCM for clinical development since the released drug is clinically approved.

The effect of unreacted residual 2-mercapto-5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole (MMTD), the reagent for 3-[5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-yl]-7-aminocephalosporanic acid (M-7-ACA) synthesis, on the enzymatic acylation of M-7-ACA by the methyl ester of 1,2,3,4-tetrazol-1-acetic acid (MeTzAA) to produce cefazolin (CEZ) was studied. In the two-step process of synthesizing CEZ from 7-aminocephalosporanic acid (7-ACA), one of the key parameters controlling the overall CEZ yield was the ratio of MMTD to 7-ACA in M-7-ACA synthesis. The increase of the ratio showed opposing effects by increasing the M-7-ACA yield in the first step, while decreasing CEZ yield in the subsequent enzymatic reaction by the inhibitory effect of the increased content of MMTD as an impurity in the M-7-ACA preparation. It was revealed that the decrease of CEZ yield in the enzymatic reaction was caused by the selective retardation of the rate of CEZ synthesis reaction by a typical competitive inhibition, while not affecting the rate of MeTzAA hydrolysis reaction. The optimum MMTD-to-7-ACA ratio rendering the highest overall CEZ yield over 7-ACA was 1.2:1.

A series of 7-alkylidenecephalosporins and 7-vinylidenecephalosporins, as their benzhydryl esters, have been tested as inhibitors of both porcine pancreatic elastase and human leukocyte elastase. Selected 7-alkylidenecephalosporin esters are found to be potent inhibitors of HLE. One category of new inhibitors is the 7-(haloalkylidene)cephalosporins. In contrast to previously reported cephalosporin-based elastase inhibitors, these haloalkylidene cephems show optimum inhibitory activity as sulfides, rather than as sulfones. They are efficient and irreversible inhibitors. A second class of active compounds is represented by the benzhydryl ester 7-(cyanomethylidene)cephalosporin sulfone. In contrast to the activity of these new inhibitors, the benzhydryl ester of the mechanism-based beta-lactamase inhibitor, 7-[(2'-pyridyl)methylidene]-cephalosporin sulfone showed little inhibitory activity as an elastase inhibitor. 7-Vinylidenecephalosporins were also relatively poor inhibitors, although the terminally unsubstituted allene sulfide showed activity as an inhibitor of PPE. A modeling analysis suggests the 7-alkylidene substituents can be readily accommodated in the S1 pocket. A potential mechanism of inhibition is proposed.