Development of cinnamyl derivatives as antibiotic-potentiating agents.
Hympanova Michaela M, Kufa Martin M, Muckova Lubica L, Prchal Lukas L et al.
Here, we report the discovery and optimization of 1-cinnamylpiperazine derivatives as antibiotic-potentiating agents inspired by the known RND efflux pump inhibitor 1-(1-naphthylmethyl)piperazine (NMP). A structurally diverse series of analogues was synthesized and evaluated for intrinsic antibacterial activity, cytotoxicity, and ability to potentiate antibiotic activity against Escherichia coli. Most derivatives showed low intrinsic antibacterial activity, consistent with an adjuvant mode of action. In combination assays, several compounds enhanced the antibiotic activity of erythromycin and linezolid, with halogenated derivatives showing the strongest potentiating effects. Compound 27 displayed the broadest potentiation profile, showing synergistic interactions with five of the seven tested antibiotics, namely linezolid, novobiocin, fusidic acid, pyridomycin, and clindamycin. Notably, it showed a superior potency to the structurally related reference inhibitor NMP. Experiments with AcrAB-TolC-deficient E. coli mutants, together with dye accumulation (Hoechst 33342) and membrane-permeabilization assays, suggested that 1-cinnamylpiperazine derivatives modulate efflux-associated resistance in a manner distinct from NMP, with increased membrane permeability likely contributing to their overall potentiating effect. Beyond planktonic cultures, compound 27 also potentiated erythromycin and linezolid against mature E. coli biofilms. These findings identify 1-cinnamylpiperazines as promising antibiotic adjuvant scaffolds for further optimization against drug-resistant Gram-negative infections.