Bacterial resistance is increasing rapidly, requiring urgent identification of new antibacterial drugs that are effective against multidrug-resistant pathogens. Novel bacterial topoisomerase inhibitors (NBTIs) provide a new strategy for investigating the well-validated DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV targets while preventing cross-resistance issues. On this basis, starting from a virtual screening campaign and subsequent structure-based hit optimization guided by X-ray studies, a novel class of piperazine-like NBTIs with outstanding enzymatic activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV was identified. Notably, compounds (±)-33, (±)-35, and (±)-36 with potent and balanced multitarget enzymatic profiles exhibited excellent efficacy against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, as well as clinically relevant resistant strains. Overall, the new NBTI chemotype described herein, owing to the broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and favorable in vitro safety profile, might serve as a basis for the development of novel treatments against serious infections.

New 17beta-estradiol (E2) derivatives 1-11 were synthesized from an estrone derivative by addition of organometallic reagents prepared from protected alpha,omega-alkynols and further elaboration of the addition products. The estrogenic activity of these novel compounds was determined using in vitro binding competition assay and transactivation analysis. Among the E2 derivatives synthesized, compound 2 showed the highest transactivation potency and was therefore tested for its ability to modulate cutaneous wound healing in vivo. Compound 2's ability to accelerate wound healing in ovariectomized mice and decrease the production of inflammatory molecules was comparable to that of E2. However, the activity of compound 2 was not superimposable to E2 with regard to the cells involved in the wound repairing process. When locally administered, compound 2 did not show any systemic activity on ER. This class of compounds with clear beneficial effects on wound healing and suitable for topical administration may lead to the generation of innovative drugs for an area of unmet clinical need.

[reaction: see text] A series of 6-exo-acetoxybicyclo[2.2.2]octan-2-ones were converted into the corresponding 6-exo-hydroxybicyclo[2.2.2]octan-2-ones by methanolysis in the presence of CH(3)ONa/La(OTf)(3). Under the given conditions, epimerization at C(6) of the latter led in the least favorable cases only to traces of the more stable 6-endo-hydroxybicyclo[2.2.2]octan-2-ones. This procedure, when combined with the described conversion of easily available 6-endo-hydroxybicyclo[2.2.2]octan-2-ones into the corresponding 6-exo-acetoxy derivatives, provides a convenient route to elusive 6-exo-hydroxybicyclo[2.2.2]octan-2-ones. Applications to total synthesis are shown and envisaged.