Contribution of <scp><i>N</i>‐heterocycles</scp> towards anti‐tubercular drug discovery (2014–2019); predicted and reengineered molecular frameworks

Abstract Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis , responsible for high death frequency every year all over the world. In this regard, efficient drug‐design and discovery towards the prevention of M.tb H 37 R v is of prime concern. Prevention of the infection may include vaccination, and the treatment comprises anti‐TB drug regimen. However, the vaccine decreases the risk of tuberculosis infection only to some extent, while drug‐resistance limits the efficacy of the existing anti‐TB agents. Much improvement has to be achieved to overcome pitfalls such as side effects, high‐toxicity, low bioavailability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and hence forth in clinical therapeutics. Amongst heterocyclic compounds, N ‐heterocycles played a pivotal role in drug‐design and discovery. A wide range of microbial diseases are being treated by the N ‐heterocyclic drugs. The present review comprises description of anti‐TB effects of the N ‐heterocycles such as indoles, triazoles, thiazoles, and pyrazoles. The potent anti‐TB activity exerted by the derivatives of these heterocycles is evaluated critically alongside emphasizing structure–activity relationship. Besides, docking studies supporting anti‐TB activity is supplemented. Alongside this, based on the potent heterocyclic molecules, the molecular frameworks are designed that would bring about enhanced M. tb H 37 R v inhibitory potencies.