Synthesis and biological evaluation of substituted 4-arylthiazol-2-amino derivatives as potent growth inhibitors of replicating Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37RV

In search of potential therapeutics for tuberculosis, we describe herein synthesis and biological evaluation of some substituted 4-arylthiazol-2-amino derivatives as modified analogues of the antiprotozoal drug Nitazoxanide (NTZ), which has recently been reported as potent inhibitor of Mtb H(37)Rv (Mtb MIC = 52.12 mu M) with an excellent ability to evade resistance. Among the synthesized derivatives, the two compounds 7a ( MIC = 15.28 mu M) and 7c (MIC = 17.03 mu M) have exhibited about three times better Mtb growth inhibitory activity over NTZ and are free from any cytotoxicity (Vero CC50 of 244 and 300 mu M respectively). These two compounds represent promising leads for further optimization. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.