Synthesis and molecular docking studies of some novel antimicrobial benzamides

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.bioorg.2019.103368

Common use of classical antibiotics has caused to the growing emergence of many resistant strains of pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, we aimed to synthesize a number of N-(2-hydroxy-(4 or 5)-nitrophenyl)benzamide derivatives as a new class of antimicrobial compounds. Moreover, our second goal is to predict the interaction between active structures and enzymes (DNA –gyrase and FtsA) in the binding mode. In this study, thirteen N-(2-hydroxy-(4 or 5-nitrophenyl)-substituted-benzamides were synthesized and determined for their antimicrobial activity using the microdilution method. According to this work, none of the compounds showed any activity against Candida albicans and its clinical isolate. Some of the benzamides (4N1, 5N1, 5N2) displayed very significant activity against Staphylococcus aureus and MSSA with <4 μg/ml MIC value, even they were found to be more potent than ceftazidime. 4N1 was also found to be more effective than gentamicin against Enterococcus faecalis clinical isolate. Molecular docking studies revealed that 4N1, 5N1, and 5N2 showed a good interactions with DNA-gyrase. Moreover, 5N1 has interacted with FtsA enzyme in the binding mode, as well. Only compound 5N4 displayed very good activity against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. These findings showed us that 4N1, 5N1, 5N2, and 5N4 could be lead compounds to discover new antibacterial candidates against multidrug-resistant strains.

Full text of DOI:10.1016/j.bioorg.2019.103368

Journal Pre-proofs
Synthesis and Molecular Docking Studies of Some Novel Antimicrobial Ben-
zamides
Cemre Acar, Gozde Yalcın, Tugba Ertan-Bolellı, Fatma Kaynak Onurdag,
Suzan Okten, Funda Sener, Ilkay Yıldız
PII:
S0045-2068(19)31517-2
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioorg.2019.103368
YBIOO 103368
Reference:
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Bioorganic Chemistry
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Revised Date:
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12 September 2019
9 October 2019
14 October 2019
Please cite this article as: C. Acar, G. Yalcın, T. Ertan-Bolellı, F. Kaynak Onurdag, S. Okten, F. Sener, I. Yıldız,
Synthesis and Molecular Docking Studies of Some Novel Antimicrobial Benzamides, Bioorganic Chemistry
(2019), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioorg.2019.103368
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Synthesis and Molecular Docking Studies of Some Novel
Antimicrobial Benzamides
Cemre ACAR1, Gozde YALCIN2,3, Tugba ERTAN-BOLELLI1, Fatma KAYNAK
ONURDAG4, Suzan OKTEN4, Funda SENER1, Ilkay YILDIZ1*
1Ankara University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, 06560
Yenimahalle, Ankara, Turkey
2Ankara University, Biotechnology Institute, 06560 Yenimahalle, Ankara, Turkey
3Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Faculty of Engineering, Bioengineering Department,
53100, Rize, Turkey
4Trakya University Faculty of Pharmacy Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, 22030,
Edirne, Turkey
Corresponding authour: Prof. Dr. Ilkay Yildiz
E-mail: iyildiz@pharmacy.ankara.edu.tr, ilkayyildiz48@gmail.com
Full postal address:
Ankara University, Faculty of Pharmacy
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Degol Str. 06560 Yenimahalle-Ankara / Turkey
1

Abstract
Common use of classical antibiotics has caused to the growing emergence of many resistant
strains of pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, we aimed to synthesize a number of N-(2-hydroxy-(4
or 5)-nitrophenyl)benzamide derivatives as a new class of antimicrobial compounds. Moreover,
our second goal is to predict the interaction between active structures and enzymes (DNA –
gyrase and FtsA) in the binding mode. In this study, thirteen N-(2-hydroxy-(4 or 5-nitrophenyl)-
substituted-benzamides were synthesized and determined for their antimicrobial activity using
the microdilution method. According to this work, none of the compounds showed any activity
against Candida albicans and its clinical isolate. Some of the benzamides (4N1, 5N1, 5N2)
displayed very significant activity against Staphylococcus aureus and MSSA with <4 µg/ml
MIC value, even they were found to be more potent than ceftazidime. 4N1 was also found to
be more effective than gentamicin against Enterococcus faecalis clinical isolate. Molecular
docking studies revealed that 4N1, 5N1, and 5N2 showed a good interactions with DNA-gyrase.
Moreover, 5N1 has interacted with FtsA enzyme in the binding mode, as well. Only compound
5N4 displayed very good activity against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. These findings
showed us that 4N1, 5N1, 5N2, and 5N4 could be lead compounds to discover new antibacterial
candidates against multidrug-resistant strains.
Keywords: Benzamide; Antimicrobial activity; Molecular docking; DNA-gyrase; FtsA
2

1. Introduction
The count of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections such as vancomycin-resistant
Enterococcus faecium, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and penicillin-
resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP) is enhancing at a worrying percentage and it
causes mortality and morbidity in hospitals. Researching of new antibacterial agents is very
important by virtue of enhancing resistance of clinically substantial pathogens to know classes
of antibiotics [1]. MRSA indicates resistance to β-lactams, methicillin, macrolides,
fluoroquinolones, oxazolidinones, glycopeptides, and carbapenems [2], [3], [4], [5], [6].
Development of potent and novel classes of antibacterials having new mechanisms of action
play a vital role to alleviate the complications related to multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.
The benzamide compounds are characterized by a relatively wide range of pharmacological
properties such as clinically used in the treatment of gastric diseases, intestinal pseudo-
obstruction, characterized by anticonvulsant action, antibacterial, anthelmintic, antifungal,
antiviral, anticancer, and HDAC (Histone deacetylase) inhibitors [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12],
[13], [14].
Oxyclozanide [15], an anthelmintic agent which treats liver fluke infection for Fasciola
hepatica, and an anti-tapeworm drug niclosamide (N-(2-hydroxy-5-chlorophenyl)-2-chloro-4-
nitrobenzamide) [16] are benzamide derivatives (Fig. 1). It has been recently displayed that
niclosamide had anticancer activity [16] and strong in vitro and in vivo effects against MRSA
[17]. Another benzamide drug is clebopride (Fig. 1) which is a dopamine antagonist with
antiemetic and prokinetic properties used to treat functional gastrointestinal disorders [18]. In
1999, a natural antibacterial benzamide derivative, 3,4-dihydroxy-6-(N-ethylamino)benzamide,
has been found in the green pepper (Piper nigrum L.) [19]. Moreover, N-methyl-3-[2-(2-
naphtyl)acetylamino]benzamide called as BAS-118 (Fig. 1) is shown to have selective and
strong activity against Helicbacter pylori. It was also reported to be effective against
clarithromycin- and metronidazole -resistant isolates [20].
NO2
Cl
N
O
O
Cl
Cl
OH
O
N
H
N
H
Cl
Cl
N
H
Cl
H2N
O
OH
OH
CH3
Cl
Cl
Oxyclozanide
Niclosamide
Clebopride
3

H
N
O
CH3
N
H
O
BAS-118
Fig. 1. Some of the benzamide derivatives
Lately, we informed that some substituted benzamide / phenylacetamide /
phenoxyacetamide / thiophenoxyacetamide derivatives displayed significantly antimicrobial
activities at a MIC values between 1.95 - 250 µg/ml (Fig. 2) [21], [22], [23], [24]. According
to these studies, it has been realized that compounds bearing a nitro instead of an amine group
attached at the 4th or 5th position of N-(2-hydroxyphenyl) of phenylacetamide or benzamide was
important for the antibacterial activity [24].
R2
R
OH R1
R3
R4
O
R'
N
H
X
R5
X= , CH2, CH2O, CH2S; R = H, CH3, NO2, NH2; R´ = H, Cl, CH3, NO2, NH2;
R1 = H, OCH3; R2= H, OCH3; R3 = H, Cl, Br, F, CH3, C2H5, NO2, OCH3, C(CH3)3;
R4 = H, OCH3; R5 = H, CH3, OCH3
Fig. 2. Previously synthesized antimicrobial amide derivatives
In 2008, the QSAR study of some phenylacetamides and benzamides against drug-
resistant S. aureus was done by us [25]. In there, we declared that having benzamide structure
instead of phenyl acetamide played more remarkable role for enhancing activity for drug-
resistant S. aureus.
Since the need of novel antimicrobial agents for the multi-drug resistant microorganisms
is the ultimate goal of our ongoing researches, we designed and synthesized a number of N-(2-
hydroxy-(4 or 5)-nitrophenyl)-substituted-benzamides (see Table 1) as a new group of
antibacterial molecules. Their antibacterial activities were evaluated for Pseudomonas
aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC
29212, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, along with their clinical isolates. Besides, they were
4

also tested for their antifungal activities on Candida albicans and its clinical isolate. All of the
antimicrobial results of the tested benzamides was compared to some standard drugs.
In the field of drug discovery and design, molecular docking studies have become a
progressively crucial tool in order to understant how to interact a ligand with a protein in the
binding mode. The other purpose of this article was to explore the interactions of active
compounds against S. aureus and its isolate into the DNA-gyrase and FtsA enzymes by using
molecular docking studies employing CDOCKER method at the Discovery Studio (DS) 3.5
[26].
2.Materials and Methods
2.1. Chemistry
All of the chemicals were used without further purification and purchased from the
commercial venders. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) was applied for monitoring the
reactions and checking the purity of the last products using Silica gel 60 F254 (Merck TLC
plates) chromatoplates. The mixture of chloroform/methanol (30:1) as a solvent system of TLC
was used for all benzamide derivatives. The plates were visualized using UV light. All the
melting points were measured on Büchi B-540 capilalry melting point apparatus and are
uncorrected. Mass spectra for compounds were taken on a Waters Micromass ZQ by using ESI
13
(+) or ESI (-) method. The 1H (400 MHz) and C (100MHz) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
spectroscopy were taken using a Varian Mercury 400 MHz FT-NMR, chemical shifts (δ) were
in ppm relative to TMS, and coupling constants (J) were informed in Hertz. Elemental analyses
(C, H, N) of compounds were recorded on a Leco CHNS-932. All elemental analyses results
of newly synthesized benzamide derivatives were found to be within ± 0.4% of the computed
amounts.
2.1.1. General synthetic procedure of N-(2-hydroxy-(4 or 5)-nitrophenyl)benzamides (4N1-
4N6, 5N1-5N7)
The synthesis of all benzamide derivatives were done by using the method shown on
the literature [24]. Suitable benzoic acid (0.5 mmol) with thionyl chloride (1.5 ml) were
refluxed at 80 °C in benzene (5 ml) for 3 h. Afterwards, the excess thionyl chloride was
evaporated in vacuo. Then, the residue was solved in ether (10 ml). This solution added during
1 h to a stirred, ice-cold mixture of suitable o-aminophenol (2-amino-(4 or 5)-nitrophenol)
(0.5 mmol), water (10 ml), diethyl ether (10 ml), and sodiumbicarbonate (0.5 mmol). The
mixture was kept stirred at the room temperature overnight, then filtered. Afterwards the residue
5

was washed by using water, 2 N HCl, water, and ether, respectively, and finally benzamide
derivatives were achieved (Scheme 1). The obtained crude benzamides were recrystallized
using the ethanol in order to purify. All of the obtained crystals were dried in vacuo. Physical
and spectral datas of the newly synthesized benzamides were reported below (see also
Supplementary Information 1).
4-Butyl-N-(2-hydroxy-4-nitrophenyl)benzamide (4N1)
Yield 41 %; M.p. 195-196°C. 1H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6, δ ppm J=Hz): 0.90 (t, 3H, CH3);
1.27-1.36 (m, 2H, CH2); 1.55- 1.62 (m, 2H, CH2); 2.67 (t, 2H, CH2); 7.37 (d, 2H, Jo=8.4, 3-H,
5-H); 7.73 (d, 1H, Jm=2.8, 3'-H); 7.79 (dd, 1H, Jm=2.8 and Jo=9.2, 5'-H); 7.89 (d, 2H, Jo=8, 2-
13
H, 6-H); 8.25 (d, 1H, Jo=9.2, 6'-H); 9.49 (s, 1H, OH); 11.13 (s, 1H, NH). C-NMR δ ppm
(DMSO-d6): 13.718 (CH3-1C), 21.681 (CH2-1C), 32.787 (CH2-1C), 34.646 (CH2-1C), 109.422,
115.064, 121.335, 127.631, 128.574, 131.286, 133.126, 143.212, 147.098, 148.085, 165.160
(11C-Ar). MS (ESIꢀ-) m/z: 313.6 (Mꢀ-ꢀH, 100%). Anal. Calcd for C17H18N2O4 · 0.1H2O: C:
64.58, H: 5.802, N: 8.861. Found: C: 64.55, H: 5.860, N: 8.804.
4-(tert-Butyl)-N-(2-hydroxy-4-nitrophenyl)benzamide (4N2) [24]
Yield 34 %; M.p. 283-286°C (283-284°C) 24. MS (ESIꢀ+) m/z: 315.3 (Mꢀ+ꢀH, 100%). Anal.
Calcd for C17H18N2O4 : C: 64.95, H: 5.771, N: 8.911. Found: C: 65.04, H: 5.949, N: 8.865.
4-Ethoxy-N-(2-hydroxy-4-nitrophenyl)benzamide (4N3)
Yield 55 %; M.p. 258-259°C. 1H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6, δ ppm J=Hz): 1.33 (t, 3H, CH3);
4.10 (q, 2H, OCH2); 7.04 (d, 2H, Jo=9.2, 3-H, 5-H), 7.70 (d, 1H, Jm=2.8, 3'-H), 7.76 (dd, 1H,
Jm=2.4 and Jo=8.8, 5'-H); 7.92 (d, 2H, Jo=8.4, 2-H, 6-H); 8.20 (d, 1H, Jo=8.8, 6'-H); 9.40 (s,
1H, OH); 11.07 (s, 1H, NH). 13C-NMR δ ppm (DMSO-d6): 14.487 (CH3-1C), 63.474 (OCH2-
1C), 109.422, 114.301, 115.090, 121.245, 125.676, 129.606, 133.287, 143.084, 147.996,
161.672, 164.673 (11C-Ar). MS (ESIꢀ+) m/z: 303.4 (Mꢀ+ꢀH, 100%). Anal. Calcd for
C15H14N2O5 : C: 59.60, H: 4.668, N: 9.267. Found: C: 59.57, H: 4.856, N: 9.258.
4-Butoxy-N-(2-hydroxy-4-nitrophenyl)benzamide (4N4)
Yield 53 %; M.p. 200-202°C. 1H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6, δ ppm J=Hz): 0.91 (t, 3H, CH3);
1.37-1.47 (m, 2H, CH2); 1.66-1.73 (m, 2H, CH2); 4.03 (t, 2H, OCH2); 7.04 (d, 2H, Jo=9.2, 3-H,
5-H); 7.70 (d, 1H, Jm=2.8, 3'-H); 7.76 (dd, 1H, Jm=2.8 and Jo=8.8, 5'-H); 7.91 (d, 2H, Jo=9.2,
13
2-H, 6-H); 8.21 (d, 1H, Jo=8.4, 6'-H); 9.39 (s, 1H, OH); 11.08 (s, 1H, NH). C-NMR δ ppm
6

(DMSO-d6): 13.654 (CH3-1C), 18.668 (CH2-1C), 30.581(CH2-1C), 67.514 (OCH2-1C),
109.422, 114.340, 115.103, 121.194, 125.669, 129.593, 133.293, 143.071, 147.957, 161.852,
164.666 (11C-Ar). MS (ESIꢀ+) m/z: 331.5 (Mꢀ+ꢀH, 100%). Anal. Calcd for C17H18N2O5 ·
0.1H2O: C: 61.47, H: 5.523, N: 8.434. Found: C: 61.44, H: 5.658, N: 8.522.
N-(2-Hydroxy-4-nitrophenyl)-3,5-dimethylbenzamide (4N5)
Yield 64 %; M.p. 268-270°C. 1H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6, δ ppm J=Hz): 2.35 (s, 6H, CH3);
7.25 (s, 1H, 4-H); 7.56 (s, 2H, 2-H, 6-H); 7.73 (d, 1H, Jm=2.8, 3'-H); 7.78 (dd, 1H, Jm=2.8 and
Jo=8.8, 5'-H); 8.23 (d, 1H, Jo=8.8, 6'-H); 9.44 (s, 1H, OH); 11.09 (s, 1H, NH). 13C-NMR δ ppm
(DMSO-d6): 20.793 (CH3-2C), 109.445, 115.061, 121.348, 125.219, 133.075, 133.502,
133.868, 137.922, 143.218, 148.049, 165.492 (11C-Ar). MS (ESIꢀ+) m/z: 287.3 (Mꢀ+ꢀH, 100%).
Anal. Calcd for C15H14N2O4 · 0.1H2O: C: 62.53, H: 4.96, N: 9.72. Found: C: 62.39, H: 5.207,
N: 9.72.
N-(2-Hydroxy-4-nitrophenyl)-3,5-dimethoxybenzamide (4N6) [22]
Yield 43 %; M.p. 265-267°C (259°C ) 22. MS (ESIꢀ+) m/z: 319.5 (Mꢀ+ꢀH, 100%). Anal. Calcd
for C15H14N2O6 · 0.4H2O: C: 55.35, H: 4.583, N: 8.606. Found: C: 55.40, H: 4.572, N: 8.624.
4-Ethyl-N-(2-hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)benzamide (5N1) [24]
Yield 49 %; M.p. 264-266°C (254-256°C)24. MS (ESIꢀ-) m/z: 285.6 (Mꢀ-ꢀH, 100%). Anal. Calcd
for C15H14N2O4 · 0.2H2O: C: 62.14, H: 5.006, N: 9.66. Found: C: 62.18, H: 5.031, N: 10.05.
4-(tert-Butyl)-N-(2-hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)benzamide (5N2) [23]
Yield 33 %; M.p. 288-290°C (287°C)23. MS (ESIꢀ-) m/z: 313.8 (Mꢀ-ꢀH, 100%). Anal. Calcd for
C17H18N2O4 · 0.2H2O: C: 64.22, H: 5.833, N: 8.810. Found: C: 64.28, H: 6.039, N: 9.154.
4-Ethoxy-N-(2-hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)benzamide (5N3)
Yield 57 %; M.p. 276-277°C. 1H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6, δ ppm J=Hz): 1.33 (t, 3H, CH3);
4.09 (q, 2H, OCH2); 7.03 (d, 2H, Jo=9.2, 3-H, 5-H); 7.06 (d, 1H, Jo=8.8, 3'-H); 7.91-7.97 (m,
3H, 2-H, 6-H, 4'-H); 8.75 (d, 1H, Jm=2.8, 6'-H); 9.43 (s, 1H, OH); 11.58 (s, 1H, NH). 13C-NMR
δ ppm (DMSO-d6): 14.491 (CH3-1C), 63.435 (OCH2-1C), 114.185, 115.183, 118.574, 121.424,
125.745, 126.461, 129.570, 139.149, 155.395, 161.522, 164. 836 (11C-Ar). MS (ESIꢀ-) m/z:
301.7 (Mꢀ-ꢀH, 100%). Anal. Calcd for C15H14N2O5 · 0.1H2O: C: 59.24, H: 4.706, N: 9.212.
Found: C: 59.02, H: 4.772, N: 9.416.
7

4-Butoxy-N-(2-hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)benzamide (5N4)
Yield 51 %; M.p. 216-218°C. 1H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6, δ ppm J=Hz): 0.92 (t, 3H, CH3);
1.38-1.47 (m, 2H, CH2); 1.66-1.73 (m, 2H, CH2); 4.03 (t, 2H, OCH2); 7.02-7.07 (m, 3H, 3-H,
5-H, 3'-H); 7.91-7.97 (m, 3H, 2-H, 6-H, 4'-H); 8.75 (d, 1H, Jm=2.8, 6'-H); 9.43 (s, 1H, OH);
11.59 (s, 1H, NH). 13C-NMR δ ppm (DMSO-d6): 13.645 (CH3-1C), 18.666 (CH2-1C), 30.592
(CH2-1C), 67.474 (OCH2-1C), 114.223, 115.183, 118.590, 121.424, 125.730, 126.461,
129.555, 139.141, 155.403, 161.689, 164.829 (11C-Ar). MS (ESIꢀ-) m/z: 329.8 (Mꢀ-ꢀH, 100%).
Anal. Calcd for C17H18N2O5 · 0.1H2O: C: 61.47, H: 5.523, N: 8.434. Found: C: 61.52, H: 5.758,
N: 8.731.
N-(2-Hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)-2,4-dimethylbenzamide (5N5)
Yield 62 %; M.p. 284-286 °C. 1H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6, δ ppm J=Hz): 2.30 (s, 3H, 1''-
CH3); 2.39 (s, 3H, 2''-CH3); 7.02-7.10 (m, 3H, 3-H, 5-H, 6-H); 7.44 (d, 1H, Jo=8, 3'-H); 7.95
(dd, 1H, Jm=2.4 and Jo=8.8, 4'-H); 8.84 (d, 1H, Jm=2.4, 6'-H); 9.36 (s, 1H, OH); 11.59 (s, 1H,
13
NH). C-NMR δ ppm (DMSO-d6): 19.596 (CH3-1C), 20.800 (CH3-1C), 115.061, 117.927,
121.371, 126.187, 126.446, 127.543, 131.422, 133.091, 135.910, 139.095, 139.804, 155.022,
167.962 (13C-Ar). MS (ESIꢀ-) m/z: 285.7 (Mꢀ-ꢀH, 100%). Anal. Calcd for C15H14N2O4 ·
0.1H2O: C: 62.53, H: 4.968, N: 9.72. Found: C: 62.50, H: 4.965, N: 10.07.
N-(2-Hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)-3,5-dimethylbenzamide (5N6)
Yield 65 %; M.p. 284-286 °C. 1H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6, δ ppm J=Hz): 2.34 (s, 6H, CH3);
7.07 (d, 1H, Jo=9.2, 3'-H); 7.23 (s, 1H, 4-H); 7.56 (s, 2H, 2-H, 6-H); 7.97 (dd, 1H, Jm=2.8 and
Jo=8.8, 4'-H); 8.75 (d, 1H, Jm=2.8, 6'-H); 9.47 (s, 1H, OH); 11.55 (s, 1H, NH). 13C-NMR δ ppm
(DMSO-d6): 20.79 (CH3-2C), 115.206, 118.635, 121.592, 125.219, 126.294 133.251, 133.906,
137.754, 139.042, 155.555, 165.614 (11C-Ar). MS (ESIꢀ+) m/z: 287.2 (Mꢀ+ꢀH, 100%). Anal.
Calcd for C15H14N2O4 · 0.1H2O: C: 62.53, H: 4.968, N: 9.72. Found: C: 62.52, H: 5.196, N:
10.03.
N-(2-Hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)-3,5-dimethoxybenzamide (5N7)
1
Yield 48 %; M.p. 251-253°C. H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6, δ ppm J=Hz): 3.80 (s, 6H,
OCH3), 6.70 (t, 1H, 4-H), 7.06 (d, 1H, Jo=8.8, 3'-H); 7.10 (d, 2H, Jm=2, 2-H, 6-H); 7.98 (dd,
13
1H, Jm=3.2 and Jo=9.2, 4'-H); 8.65 (d, 1H, Jm=3.2, 6'-H); 9.59 (s, 1H, OH). C-NMR δ ppm
(DMSO-d6): 55.571 (OCH3-2C), 103.741, 105.555, 115.385, 119.610, 121.989, 126.003,
8

136.076, 139.089, 156.055, 160.460, 165.115 (11C-Ar). MS (ESIꢀ+) m/z: 319.4 (Mꢀ+ꢀH, 100%).
Anal. Calcd for C15H14N2O6: C: 56.60, H: 4.433, N: 8.801. Found: C: 56.54, H: 4.500, N: 8.714.
2.2. Microbiology
2.2.1.Microorganisms
Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Enterococcus
faecalis ATCC 29212, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Candida albicans ATCC 10231
and their clinical isolates obtained from Trakya University Faculty of Pharmacy Department of
Pharmaceutical Microbiology were used as a standard quality control strains.
2.2.2.Microdilution Method
Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done according to the guidelines of CLSI M100-
S28 and M27-A3 standards [27], [28].
Mueller Hinton Broth (MHB) (Merck), Mueller Hinton Agar (MHA) (Merck), Sabouraud
Liquid Medium (SLM) (Merck), Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) (Merck), and RPMI 1640
medium (Sigma) containing L-glutamine buffered with MOPS to pH: 7 were used in here.
MHB, MHA, SLM and SDA were autoclaved at 121˚C for 15-20 minutes and RPMI medium
was sterilized by filtration through milipore (0.22µm) filter.
A 100 µL of MHB and RPMI-1640 medium with L-glutamine (Sigma) buffered with MOPS
(pH:7) were put in each well of the microplates for bacteria and fungi, respectively.
The bacterial suspensions applied for inoculation were arranged at 105 CFU/mL by diluting
fresh cultures at McFarland 0.5 density. Suspensions of the yeast at McFarland density was
diluted 1:100 and 1:20 respectively and 2,5x103 CFU/mL were inoculated to the twofold-
diluted solution of the benzamide derivatives.
Standard powders of ampicillin (Biomatik), gentamicin sulphate (Sigma), ceftazidime
(Sigma), meropenem (Sigma), ciprofloxacin (Sigma), flucytosine (Sigma), azithromycin
(Sigma) and clarithromycin (Sigma) were used.
Stock solutions of the tested benzamides were dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).
The solutions of standard antimicrobial drugs were dissolved in suitable solvents recommended
by CLSI guidelines.
The stock solutions of the benzamides and reference antibiotics were diluted two-fold in the
wells of the microplates so the solution of all the synthesized benzamide derivatives and
standard drugs were prepared at 128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2, 1 µg/ml and standard drugs were
9

prepared at 16, 8, 4, 2, 1, 0.5, 0.25, 0.125 µg/ml concentrations. All solvents and diluents, pure
microorganisms and pure media were used in control wells.
A 10 µl microorganisms inoculum was added to each well of the microplates. Microplates
including bacteria were incubated at 37°C for 16–20 hours and microplates including fungi
were incubated at 35°C for 24-48 hours. After incubation, the lowest concentration of the
compounds that completely inhibits macroscopic growth was determined and reported as
minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs).
2.3. Molecular Docking Studies
2.3.1. Preparation of the enzymes
The crystal structures of the Staphylococcus aureus DNA gyrase (PDB ID: 3G7B)
enzyme which has an important role in the replication of bacterial DNA, Staphylococcus aureus
FtsA enzyme (PDB ID: 3WQU) plays crucial role in bacterial cell division were taken from the
Protein Data Bank [29], [30]. The protein and ligands were arranged using Accelrys Discovery
Studio 3.5 (DSV) software [31]. The target protein was taken, the ligand and all other
heteroatoms were extracted and then hydrogens were added. Afterwards, their positions were
optimized using the all atom CHARMm force field and the Adopted Basis set Newton Raphson
(ABNR) method available in DSV protocol with RMSD (Root Mean Square Deviation) value
well within the reliable range of 2 Å. (Supplementary information 2).
The minimized protein was defined as the receptor using the binding site module. The docking
area was defined around the small molecules in receptors, which was determined in crystal
structure. For this purpose binding spheres were built by CDOCKER module of Discovery
Studio 3.5. Binding spheres for 3G7B (50.354, -2.964, 19.129, with 7,50065 as radius value),
3WQU (2.104, 31.034, -22.349, with 8,73157 as radius value) were chosen from the active site
by using the binding site tools (Supplementary information 3).
2.3.2. Ligand preparation
For validation of docking protocol X-ray ligand were firstly docked to receptors.
Reference molecules for whole receptors and interested ligands (4N1-4N6, 5N1-5N7) sketched
with ChemSketch [32] but hydrogens were added by DSV, All atom CHARMm force field
parameterization was assigned, and afterwards minimized by using the ABNR (Adopted Basis
10

Newton-Raphson) method as defined in section 2.3.1. A simulated annealing molecular
dynamics (MD) approach was applied in order to search conformations of the ligands. The
ligands were heated to 700K and then annealed to 200 K.
2.3.3. Docking
CDOCKER module of DSV is a docking method which uses a random initial ligand
placement and full CHARMm force field [26]. This method provides to hold rigid the proteins
while the ligands are flexible during the docking process. The docking parameters were used
as below:
Top Hits: 10;
Random Conformations: 10;
Random Conformations Dynamics Step: 1000;
Grid Extension: 8.0;
Random Dynamics Time Step: 0.002.
X-ray ligands were redocked to validate the docking and scoring methodology. The
Analyze Ligand Posses subprotocol was applied for scoring of the docked poses. In situ ligand
minimization step (ABRN method) and implicit solvent model (GBMV) in DSV were used in
order to calculate the binding energies. Having the lowest binding energy of compounds was
received as the best-docked conformation into the proteins.
3.Results and Discussion
3.1.Chemistry
In this study, the N-(2-hydroxy-(4 or 5)-nitrophenyl)-substituted-benzamides were
obtained following synthetic pathway demonstrated in Scheme 1.
The chemical synthesis of the substituted-benzamide derivatives (4N1-4N6, 5N1-
5N7) was performed by reacting 2-amino-4-nitrophenol or 2-amino-5-nitrophenol with suitable
benzoyl chlorides, obtained in turn by reacting benzoic acid derivatives with thionyl chloride.
All of the benzamides are new products except 5N1, 5N2, 4N2, 4N6. The purity of the
benzamides was controlled by TLC using solvents system (CHCl3/MeOH 30:1). The UV light
was used in order to visualize the plates. Melting points of the synthesized structures were
determined and uncorrected. All of the newly synthesized benzamides were promoted by using
1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, Mass spectral datas and elemental analyses. The results of elemental
analyses and all spectral datas were found to be fully compatible with the presented molecules.
11

The physical, chemical, and spectral results of the newly obtained benzamides 4N1, 4N3-5 and
5N3-7 were reported in section 2.1.1.
R2
R1
R2
R1
Benzene
o
R3
COOH
+
SOCl2
+
R3
COCl
SO2 HCl
+
80
C
R4
R4
R2
R1
HO
R
R
OH
NaHCO3 / Ether / H2O
-10oC
O
R1
+
R3
COCl
R2
R3
H2N
R'
R'
N
H
R4
R4
R = R´ = H, NO2; R1 = H, CH3; R2 = H, CH3, OCH3;
R3 = H, CH3, C2H5, C(CH3)3, OC4H9, OC2H5, C4H9; R4 = H, CH3, OCH3
Scheme 1. The synthetic pathway of benzamide derivatives (4N1-4N6, 5N1-5N7)
3.2. In vitro antimicrobial activities
All of the synthesized N-(2-hydroxy-(4 or 5)-nitrophenyl)-substituted-benzamides
(4N1-4N6, 5N1-5N7) were measured for their in vitro antibacterial activities against E. coli
ATCC 25922, P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853, E. coli isolate (susceptile to the tested antibacterial
agents), P. aeruginosa isolate (resistant to gentamicin and ceftazidim) as Gram-negative
bacteria, S. aureus ATCC 29213, E. faecalis ATCC 29212, S. aureus isolate (Methicilline
Sensitive (MSSA) and resistant to gentamicin), E. faecalis isolate (resistant to vancomycin) as
Gram-positive bacteria. Moreover, all compounds were also tested against C. albicans ATCC
10231 and its clinical isolate for their in vitro antifungal activities. Antimicrobial activities were
detected as the MIC values by using the two-fold serial dilution technique in Sabouraud
dextrose agar and Mueller-Hinton broth for the antifungal and antibacterial effects,
respectively. The antimicrobial activities of the synthesized compounds (4N1-4N6, 5N1-5N7)
were compared to some reference drugs such as gentamicin, ampicillin, ceftazidime,
meropenem, ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, clarithromycin for antibacterial, flucytosine for
antifungal activity. When the effect of solvent control was taken into consideration, the
substances which do not show antimicrobial effect are indicated with (-) sign. Minimum
Inhibition Concentrations (MICs) (µg/ml) of antimicrobial agents and the synthesized
benzamides were shown at the Table 1.
12

Table 1: Microbiological results of the synthesized benzamide derivatives (MIC, µg/ml)
R
OH
O
R1
R2
R3
R'
N
H
R4
R
R´
R1
R2
R3
R4
Microorganisms*,**
Fungi*
Comp.
Code
A
-
B
-
C
-
D
-
E
F
<4
-
G
H
I
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
J
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
NO2
NO2
NO2
NO2
NO2
NO2
H
H
H
H
C4H9
C(CH3)3
OC2H5
OC4H9
H
H
4N1
4N2
4N3
4N4
4N5
4N6
5N1
5N2
5N3
5N4
5N5
5N6
5N7
<4
-
<4
64
32
64
32
64
64
64
-
<4
H
H
H
H
-
-
-
-
-
H
H
H
H
-
-
-
-
32
16
64
-
-
-
H
H
H
H
-
-
-
-
-
-
H
H
CH3
OCH3
H
CH3
OCH3
H
-
-
-
-
-
-
H
H
H
-
-
-
-
-
-
NO2
NO2
NO2
NO2
NO2
NO2
NO2
H
C2H5
C(CH3)3
OC2H5
OC4H9
CH3
64
64
-
-
8
16
-
<4
<4
-
<4
<4
-
-
H
H
H
H
64
-
-
H
H
H
H
-
-
-
H
H
H
H
<4
64
-
-
-
-
<4
<4
<4
8
-
-
-
H
CH3
H
H
H
64
-
8
-
-
64
64
64
4
-
H
CH3
OCH3
H
CH3
OCH3
-
-
-
-
H
H
H
64
0,25
-
-
-
-
-
Gentamicin
<0,125
0,5
16
0,125
2
>16
13

Ampicillin
2
4
1
-
-
0,5
4
2
0,5
-
2
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Ceftazidime
Meropenem
Ciprofloxacin
Azithromycin
Clarithromycin
Flucytosine
<0,125
1
>16
>16
<0,03125 <0,03125 <0,03125 <0,03125
<0,03125 0,5
2
2
<0,0156
<0,0156
0,125
<0,0156
0,125
0,5
0,125
0,25 0,25
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0,5
-
-
-
-
-
-
<0,0156
-
<0,0156
-
<0,125 <0,125
*A: E.coli ATCC 25922, B: E. coli isolate, C: Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, D: P. aeruginosa isolate, E: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC
29213, F: S. aureus isolate, G: Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, H: E. faecalis isolate, I: Candida albicans ATCC 10231, J: C. albicans isolate
E. coli isolate is susceptible to the tested antimicrobial agents. P. aeruginosa isolate is resistant to gentamicin and ceftazidim. S. aureus isolate is
a Methicilline Sensitive (MSSA) isolate. It is recommended not to use ceftazidime for this isolate in the guidelines of EUCAST which is compatible
with our finding. The isolate is resistant to gentamicin. E. faecalis isolate is a VRE isolate which is resistant to vancomycin.
** ATCC strains were used as quality control agents in the experiment.
14

According to microbiological results, some of the benzamides (5N1, 5N2, 5N5, 5N7)
exhibited moderate activity against E.coli ATCC 25922. Compounds 5N2 and 5N5 showed the
activity with 64 µg/ml MIC value against multi-drug resistant E.coli. Only, compound 5N4 (4-
butoxy-N-(2-hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)benzamide had a noteworthy effect with the MIC value of
<4 µg/ml for E. coli strain. The structure-activity relationships (SAR) displayed that the
position of the nitro group bound to the N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)anilide was quite remarkable in
the activity against the E.coli strain and its clinical isolate. It was seen that 5th position come to
the fore especially in increasing this activity. It has been realized that the hydroxy and nitro
groups should be located opposite each others. Besides, it has been found that the presence of
a butoxy group at the para position of the benzamide is necessary for improving activity, as
well. It can be concluded that the para position of benzamide is important and in addition this
position should attach to some substituent which can be an electron-donating and bulky group.
Even if this compound did not display more activity than the reference drugs, it could be a lead
compound for developing new anti-E.coli molecules. Although none of the benzamides showed
any effect for Gram-negative P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853, suprisingly, 5N1, 5N5 displayed
more activity at the MIC value of 8 µg/ml than gentamicin and ceftazidime against P.
aeruginosa isolate. Besides, compound 5N2 had a same activity with gentamicin and more
effect (MIC value: 16 µg/ml) than ceftazidime. These results showed us that the position of
nitro group had a good role for improving activity against multi-drug resistant P. aeruginosa.
Therefore, we need to notify that the position of nitro group had to be on the 5th location of
anilide in order to develop new anti-P.aeruginosa structures. Another important thing is that
the benzamide contains an alkyl group at the para position. Nevertheless, the alkyl group should
not be bulky, as the tert-butyl group decreased the activity one-fold.
Generally, we could say that the tested benzamide derivatives displayed more
significant activities against Gram-positives compared to Gram-negatives. While the
compounds 4N2, 4N6, 5N3 indicated no effect for Gram-positive bacterium S. aureus ATCC
29123, fortunately, 4N1, 5N1, 5N2, 5N4, 5N5 and 5N6 were found to be more effective (MIC
value of <4 µg/ml) than ceftazidime. The results of the derivatives 4N1, 5N1, 5N2 against
MSSA had very satisfactory, as well. Even, they were found to be more potent than
ceftazidime. When we generally take a glance at the MIC values for S. aureus it should be
considered that NO2 group on the R’ position and bearing a alkyl group(s) or butoxy on the
benzamide played a remarkable role for enhancing the potency.
Most of the benzamide derivatives showed moderate activiy against Gram-positive
bacterium E. faecalis strain. None of them except 4N1 displayed any activity against E. faecalis
15

isolate. Surprisingly, 4N1 (4-butyl-N-(2-hydroxy-4-nitrophenyl)benzamide) demonstrated
more activity against either E. faecalis strain and its drug-resistant isolate compared to
gentamicin. It can be noticed that 4N1 would be important for developing new antibacterial
structures against multi-drug resistant E. faecalis.
In this study, all of the newly synthesized benzamide had no activity against C. albicans
strain and its clinical isolate.
3.3. Results of molecular docking
3.3.1. Molecular docking study for DNA gyrase
DNA gyrase is an ATPase that introduces negative supercoils into DNA. The enzyme
removes positive supercoils which accumulate in front of replication forks and provide to
restore the negative superhelicity of the genome [33]. By this way DNA gyrase effects many
different supercoiling-dependent proseses such as DNA replication, regulation of gene
expression and chromosome condensation. Due to play an essential role in bacterial life, it
makes this enzyme is very important target for drug discovery.
In here, we used the crystal structures of the Staphylococcus aureus DNA gyrase (PDB
ID: 3G7B) enzyme. Binding pocket of 3G7B (Fig. 3a) was identified with residues such as
Asn54, Asp81, Arg84, Gly85, Ile86, Pro87, Ile102, Arg144, Thr173 in previous studies and X-
ray crystallographic structure [34], [35]. Our re-docking results of X-ray ligand with the
receptor showed similar docking profile, as well (Fig. 3b).
(a)
(b)
Fig. 3. (a) The active site of 3G7B; (b) Re-docking of X-ray ligand of DNA gyrase. Blue and
green intermittent lines demonstrates H bonds. Orange lines represents Pi-cation bonds.
16

All of the docking results and interacted residues of newly synthesized benzamides were
shown in Table 2. (Supplementary Information 2).
Table 2. Receptor-ligand interactions between binding pocket of DNA gyrase enzyme
(PDB ID: 3G7B) and benzamides
Compound
Name
Binding Energy
(kcal/mol)
Interacted residues
(van der Waals contact distance <4 Å)
X-ray ligand
4N1
4N2
4N3
4N4
4N5
4N6
5N1
5N2
5N3
5N4
5N5
5N6
-18,0708
-24,4902
-3,07456
-13,2136
-18,4578
-13,1006
-18,3141
-16,5803
-21,4846
-10,9953
-12,1941
-1,50751
-12,0287
-21,3654
Thr173[a], Ile86[a], Asn54[a], Arg84[b]
Arg144[a,c], Arg84[b,c], Thr173[a], Gly85[a]
Arg84[b]
Arg144[c], Arg84[b,c]
Arg144[a,c], Arg84[b,c]
Arg144[c], Arg84[b,c]
Ser129[a]
Arg144[a,c], Arg84[a,b,c]
Thr173[a], Arg144[a,c], Glu58[c], Arg84[a,b]
Asp81[a], Arg84[b]
Arg144[a,c], Arg84[b,c], Gly85[a], Asn54[a]
Arg144[a], Thr173[a], Arg84[b]
Arg144[a,c], Arg84[a,c], Glu58[c], Thr173[a]
Ser129[a]
5N7
[a]: H bonds, [b]:pi-cation interactions, [c]: receptor-ligand bumps
Compound 4N1 molecule indicated the best docking results with -24,4902 kcal/mol binding
energy. It also constituted bonds with residues as seen in Table 2 and Fig. 4. This structure was
found to be more effective than the others against E. faecalis and its resistant isolate. Besides,
4N1 showed very significant activity against S. aureus and MSSA.
(a)
(b)
Fig. 4. (a) 4N1 (Blue molecule) were demonstrates in binding pocket. Green lines show H-
bonds. Chimera molecular modeling program [36] (b) 2D demonstration of 4N1 molecule.
Orange lines show Pi-cation bonds, Pink lines show receptor-ligand bumps. DSV program
was used for preparation of figure.
17

Compound 5N2 which was significantly potent S. aureus and its isolate has more
satisfactory binding energy than the others which is -21,4849 kcal/mol, as well. 5N2 formed H
bond with Thr173, Arg144, and Arg84 residues in the binding pocket of 3G7B (Supplementary
Information 3)
FtsA is an actin-like protein, which plays a crucial role with FtsZ protein in bacterial
cell division. Tubulin-like FtsZ localize at midcell when the bacterial cell division starts. FtsZ
polymerizes into protofilaments by GTP binding [37], [38]. Attachment of FtsZ protein is
essential for assembly of the Z ring. Actin-like FtsA is needed both to tether FtsZ to the cell.
In this study, the synthesized benzamides were also docked into FtsA enzyme (PDB ID:
3WQU) in order to be able to understand the mechanism of antibacterial for S. aureus. Binding
pocket of FtsA (Fig. 5a) was identified with residues such as Ser13, Ser15, Lys17, Gly44,
Lys77, Glu209, Asp210, Val211, Glu251, Lys254, His 255, Gly325, Ser328 in previous studies
and X-ray crystallographic structure [38], [39]. The re-docking result with X-ray ligand (ATP)
of receptor also shows similar docking profile as well (Fig. 5b).
(a)
(b)
Fig. 5. (a) The active site of 3WQU; (b) Re-docking of X-ray ligand of FtsA. Blue and green
intermittent lines demonstrates H bonds. Orange lines demonstrates Pi-cation and pi-pi
interactions.
All of the compounds were docked using CDOCKER method in DSV, as well. The
docking results and interacted residues were represented in Table 3. (Supplementary
Information 2).
18

Table 3. Receptor-ligand interactions between binding pocket of FtsA enzyme (PDB ID:
3WQU) and benzamides
Compound
Code
Binding Energy
(kcal/mol)
-24,267
Interacted residues
(van der Waals contact distance <4 Å)
X-ray ligand
Asp10[a], Lys17[a], Lys77[a], Asp206[a], Gly325[a],
Glu251[a], His255[a,b], Lys254[a,c]
4N1
-0,14109
Lys17[a,c], Lys77[e],Asp185[e], Asp206[e], Gly325[a],
Glu358[a]
4N2
4N3
4N4
-1,88197
5,9273
2,72427
Ser13[a], Lys77[e], Glu209[a], Asp210[a], Gly325[d]
Lys17[a,c], Lys77[e],Asp185[e], Asp206[e], Glu209[a]
Asp10[e], Lys17[a,c], Lys77[a,e],Asp185[e], His255[b],
Gly325[a]
4N5
4N6
5N1
-5,83571
11,772
-13,6264
Ser13[a], Ser14[a], Lys17[a], His 255[e]
Lys17[a,c], Lys77[e],Asp185[e], Asp206[e], Glu209[a]
Asp10[a], Ser15[a], Lys17[a], Glu209[e], Asp210[a,e]
Val211[a]
,
5N2
5N3
5N4
-7,35629
-10,4012
-8,97427
Lys17[a],His 255[e], Glu358[e]
Lys17[a], Lys254[e], His 255[b,c,e], Glu358[a]
Ser13[a], Lys17[a], Glu209[a,e], Asp210[a], Val211[a],
His255[c]
5N5
3,42188
Asp10[e], Lys17[a,c], Lys77[e], Asp206[e], Gly208[a],
Glu209[a]
5N6
5N7
-14,1632
-4,80481
Lys17[a,c],Asp206[e],Asp10[e]
Asp10[a], Lys17[a], Glu209[e], Asp210[a,e], Val211[a]
[a]: H bonds, [b]: pi–pi interactions,[c]:pi-cation interactions, [d]:pi-sigma interactions, [e]:
receptor-ligand bumps
The compound 4N1, which is an effective against S. aureus, E. faecalis and their clinical
isolates having < 4µg/ml MIC value, has low binding energy. Nevertheless, it formed H bond
with Lys17, Gly325, Glu358 residues in the active site of FtsA enzyme (Fig. 6). 5N6 showed
the best binding energy among the compounds, which was also potent against S. aureus strain.
This sturucture formed H bond with Lys17 residue (Fig. 6).
The binding energy of 5N1 which is one of potent benzamides against S. aureus and
MSSA was also satisfactory. 5N1 formed H bond with Asp10, Ser15, Lys17, Asp210, Val211
residues in the binding pocket of 3WQU (Supplementary Information 3)
19

(a)
(b)
Fig. 6. 4N1 (a) and 5N6 (b) were demonstrates in binding pocket. Green lines show H-bonds.
Chimera molecular modeling program [36] was used for preparation of figure.
4. Conclusion
In the current study, a series of N-(2-hydroxy-(4 or 5)-nitrophenyl)benzamide
derivatives was designed and synthesized because of increasing multidrug-resistant bacterial
infections at a worrying percentage. According to this study, we have noticed that our newly
synthesized benzamide derivatives mostly showed significantly antibacterial activity against
Gram-positives than Gram-negatives. Specifically, compounds 4N1, 5N1, and 5N2 had very
important activity against MSSA, even these compounds are found to be more effective than
reference drug ceftazidime. The structure-activity relationships revealed that the para position
of benzamide played very important role in order to enhance the activity for MSSA.
Particularly, having a bulky alkyl group on this position has come to the fore for increasing
anti-MSSA. Molecular docking studies demonstrated that the potent compounds 4N1, 5N1,
and 5N2 showed a satisfactory interactions with DNA-gyrase. 5N1 has also showed good
interaction with FtsA enzymes. It can be considered that obtained the anti-MSSA activity of
compound 5N1 could be related to these two enzymes. Among the tested compounds only 5N4
was found to be as the best anti-E. coli ATCC 25922 molecule.
In conclusion, it could be considered that 4N1, 5N1, and 5N2 structures could be lead
compounds in the development of new potential anti-S. aureus agents, besides the 5N4 could
be guide compound for anti-E. coli.
Acknowledgement: The Central Laboratory of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Ankara University,
Turkey supported the acquisition of the NMR, Mass spectra and elemental analyses in this
work.
20

Conflict of interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest
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Conflict of interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest
Highlights
1- We have described the synthesis of some novel N-(2-hydroxy-(4 or 5)-
nitrophenyl)benzamides for their antimicrobial activities.
2- Some of the benzamides 4N1 (4-butyl-N-(2-hydroxy-4-nitrophenyl)benzamide), 5N1
(4-ethyl-N-(2-hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)benzamide), and 5N2 (4-(tert-butyl)-N-(2-
hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)benzamide) displayed very significant activity against S. aureus
and MSSA with <4 µg/ml MIC value. They were also found to have more potent than
ceftazidime. Besides, 4N1 indicated more effective than gentamicin against E. faecalis
clinical isolate. Only 4-butoxy-N-(2-hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)benzamide (5N4)
displayed very good activity against E. coli.
3- Molecular docking studies revealed that 4N1, 5N1, and 5N2 showed a good interactions
with DNA-gyrase (PID: 3G7B). Moreover, 5N1 has interacted with FtsA (PID: 3WQU)
enzyme in the binding mode, as well.
4- These researches showed that the compounds 4N1, 5N1, 5N2, 5N4 could be lead to
discover new multidrug-resistant antibacterial candidates.
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