Functionalization of the Chalcone Scaffold for the Discovery of Novel Lead Compounds Targeting Fungal Infections

Molecules

Alessandra Bisi¹  Silvia Gobbi¹  Angela Rampa¹  Francesca Bressan¹  Federica Belluti¹  Francesca Bonvicini²  GiovannaA. Gentilomi² 

[1] Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy;Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy;

关键词: anti-virulence agents;    biofilm;    Candida albicans chalcone scaffold;    clinically relevant yeasts;    fluorine atom;    yeast-to-hyphae transition;   

DOI  :  10.3390/molecules24020372

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The occurrence of invasive fungal infections represents a substantial threat to human health that is particularly serious in immunocompromised patients. The limited number of antifungal agents, devoid of unwanted toxic effects, has resulted in an increased demand for new drugs. Herein, the chalcone framework was functionalized to develop new antifungal agents able to interfere with cell growth and with the infection process. Thus, a small library of chalcone-based analogues was evaluated in vitro against C. albicans ATCC 10231 and a number of compounds strongly inhibited yeast growth at non-cytotoxic concentrations. Among these, 5 and 7 interfered with the expression of two key virulence factors in C. albicans pathogenesis, namely, hyphae and biofilm formation, while 28 emerged as a potent and broad spectrum antifungal agent, enabling the inhibition of the tested Candida spp. and non-Candida species. Indeed, these compounds combine two modes of action by selectively interfering with growth and, as an added value, weakening microbial virulence. Overall, these compounds could be regarded as promising antifungal candidates worthy of deeper investigation. They also provide a chemical platform through which to perform an optimization process, addressed at improving potency and correcting liabilities.

【 授权许可】

Unknown