Using cycloalkyl and electron-donating groups to decrease
the carbonyl
electrophilicity, a novel series of 2-(quinoline-4-yloxy)acetamides
was synthesized and evaluated as in vitro inhibitors
of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) growth. Structure–activity
relationship studies led to selective and potent antitubercular agents
with minimum inhibitory concentrations in the submicromolar range
against drug-sensitive and drug-resistant Mtb strains. An evaluation
of the activity of the lead compounds against a spontaneous qcrB mutant strain indicated that the structures targeted
the cytochrome bc
1 complex. In addition,
selected molecules inhibited Mtb growth in a macrophage model of tuberculosis
infection. Furthermore, the leading compound was chemically stable
depending on the context and showed good kinetic solubility, high
permeability, and a low rate of in vitro metabolism.
Finally, the pharmacokinetic profile of the compound was assessed
after oral administration to mice. To the best of our knowledge, for
the first time, a 2-(quinoline-4-yloxy)acetamide was obtained with
a sufficient exposure, which may enable in vivo effectiveness
and its further development as an antituberculosis drug candidate.
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