In vitro and ex vivo efficacies of four series of benzo [b]thiophene-2-carboxylic acid derivatives were studied against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra (MTB). Benzo [b]thiophenes were also tested in vitro against multidrug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra (MDR-MTB), and 7b was found to be highly active against A-and D-MDR-MTB/MTB (MIC ranges 2.73−22.86 μg/mL). The activity of all benzo[b]-thiophenes against M. bovis BCG (BCG) was also assessed grown under aerobic and under conditions of oxygen depletion. Compounds 8c and 8g showed significant activity with MICs of 0.60 and 0.61 μg/mL against dormant BCG. The low cytotoxicity and high selectivity index data against human cancer cell lines, HeLa, Panc-1, and THP-1 indicate the potential importance of the development of benzo [b]thiophene-based 1,3-diketones and flavones as lead candidates to treat mycobacterial infections. Molecular docking studies into the active site of DprE1 (Decaprenylphosphoryl-β-D-ribose-2′-epimerase) enzyme revealed a similar binding mode to native ligand in the crystal structure thereby helping to understand the ligand−protein interactions and establish a structural basis for inhibition of MTB. In summary, its good activity in in vitro and ex vivo model, as well as its activity against multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis H37Ra in a potentially latent state, makes 7b an attractive drug candidate for the therapy of tuberculosis.
KEYWORDS: Benzo[b]thiophene, MDR-MTB, M. Bovis BCG, cytotoxicity, molecular dockingA mong infectious widespread diseases, tuberculosis (TB) remains an active and major health problem worldwide. TB is the deadliest communicable disease, caused by the global emergence of multidrug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug resistant (XDR) strains of TB along with acquired, primary, and cross resistance mycobacterium TB (MTB) strains. Despite the availability of first line and second line drugs regimen to treat the disease, still unacceptably TB continues to have high mortality and a global health threat. Resistance to first line anti-TB drugs has been linked to spontaneous mutations in many genes.1 The probability of resistance arising when rifampicin and isoniazid are used in combination is only one in 10 14 , sufficiently low to prevent resistance for either drug.2 As per WHO, the direct observed therapy strategy (DOTS) is the most effective means to prevent the emergence of drug resistance.3 As for those with HIV, several other inter-related factors like poverty, mobility of people from the countries where TB is prevalent, the long and complex TB regimen, and poor management of TB control programs 4 pose the resurgence of TB.Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG), an attenuated strain closely related to MTB, 5 infections in humans have been reported from many centuries ago. M. bovis infections have re-emerged and are causing TB in humans, due to mutations during the long in vitro propagation of this strain and, in particular, those who are HIV-positive. Owing to the appearance of drug resi...