Identification of 4-diphenylamino 3-iodo coumarin as a potent inhibitor of DNA gyrase B of S. aureus

A necessity of therapeutics against antibiotic-resistant bacteria has led to a search for novel antibacterial compounds. The strategy to isolate compounds from non-microbial sources is the key to prevent antibiotic resistance. Here, we report isolation and characterization of an antibacterial coumarin derivative, 4-diphenylamino 3-iodo coumarin (4-DPA3IC) from a traditional drug formulation. The compound elicited high activity against MDR strains of S. aureus. Targets were identified through computational methods encompassing modules of Schrdinger 10.4. The 4-DPA3IC targeted S. aureus DNA gyrase enzyme B subunit. Amino acid residues and interactions involved here are totally different from those of novobiocin and clorobiocin. The validation was done by in vitro DNA gyrase supercoiling inhibition assay. This study proved 4-DPA3IC could potentially act against novobiocin and cholorbiocin resistant strains of S. aureus. Thus, the 4-DPA3IC is a unique inhibitor of bacterial DNA gyrase due to its plant origin as compared to other reported inhibitors.