Exploration of (3-benzyl-5-hydroxyphenyl)carbamates as new antibacterial agents against Gram-positive bacteria

A series of (3-benzyl-5-hydroxyphenyl)carbamates were evaluated as new antibacterial agents. Several compounds showed potent inhibitory activity against sensitive and drug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria. The compounds are ineffective against all tested Gram-negative bacteria. The structure of the ester group exerted a profound effect on antibacterial activity. 4,4-Dimethylcyclohexanyl carbamate 6h exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity against the standard and clinically isolated Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Enterococcus faecalis (minimum inhibitory concentration = 4-8 mu g/ml) strains. The preliminary experimental evidence indicated that these carbamates target the bacterial cell wall and share a similar mechanism of action with vancomycin.