Discovery of Novel Orally Bioavailable Triazoles with Potent and Broad-Spectrum Antifungal Activity In Vitro and In Vivo

J Med Chem. 2022 Dec 22;65(24):16665-16678. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01497. Epub 2022 Dec 13.

Abstract

In our continuing efforts to discover novel triazoles with improved antifungal activity in vitro and in vivo, a series of 41 novel compounds containing 1,2,3-triazole side chains were designed and synthesized via a click reaction based on our previous work. Most of the compounds showed moderate to excellent broad-spectrum antifungal activity in vitro. Among them, the most promising compound 9A16 displayed excellent antifungal and anti-drug-resistant fungal ability (MIC80 = 0.0156-8 μg/mL). In addition, compound 9A16 showed powerful in vivo efficacy on mice systematically infected with Candida albicans SC5314, Cryptococcus neoformans H99, fluconazole-resistant C. albicans 100, and Aspergillus fumigatus 7544. Moreover, compared to fluconazole, compound 9A16 showed better in vitro anti-biofilm activity and was more difficult to induce drug resistance in a 1 month induction of resistance assay in C. albicans. With favorable pharmacokinetics, an acceptable safety profile, and high potency in vitro and in vivo, compound 9A16 is currently under preclinical investigation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Antifungal Agents* / administration & dosage
  • Antifungal Agents* / chemistry
  • Antifungal Agents* / pharmacokinetics
  • Biological Availability
  • Candida albicans / drug effects
  • Fluconazole / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Triazoles* / administration & dosage
  • Triazoles* / chemistry
  • Triazoles* / pharmacokinetics

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Fluconazole
  • Triazoles