Inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis InhA (Enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase) by synthetic Chalcones: a molecular modelling analysis and in-vitro evidence

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious infectious disease caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1.8 million people die each year from TB, with 10 million new cases being registered each year. In this study, 50 Chalcones were developed, five of which were synthesized, and their inhibitory effects against Mtb were studied. The discovery of new powerful inhibitors with IC₅₀ values in the sub-micro molar range resulted from the development of structure–activity relationships (SAR). The goal of the molecular modelling studies was to uncover the most important structural criteria underpinning the binding affinity and selectivity of this class of inhibitors as possible anti-TB drugs. Because of their great efficacy and selectivity, our developed nitro and benzyloxy substituted Chalcones compounds appear to be promising anti-TB therapies.

Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Keywords:

• Mycobacterium tuberculosis
• InhA
• Chalcones
• molecular modelling
• toxicity

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our gratitude to SRMIST for providing instrumentation and laboratory facilities throughout the study process.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.