Synthesis and <i>In Vitro</i> Studies for Structure-Based Design of Novel Chalcones As Antitubercular Agents Targeting <i>InhA</i>

Background: The authors aimed to estimate the therapeutic potential of novel chalcones against tuberculosis. Methods: 11 synthesized compounds were tested for in vitro antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H37RV; American Type Culture Collection number: 27294) using the microplate alamarBlue assay. Molecular docking and pharmacokinetic parameter analyses were then performed. Results: The most potent compounds, (2E)-1-(4-bromophenyl) (2E)-1-(2-nitrophenyl) prop-2-en-1-one, -3-(2-nitrophenyl) prop-2-en-1-one (4-bromophenyl) (2E)-1-(3-phenoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one, 3-(phenoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (4-bromophenyl) prop-2-en-1-one and (2E)-1-(4-bromophenyl)-3-(5-chloro-2-hydroxyphenyl)-prop-2-en-1-one, showed in vitro activity, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 6.25 μg/ml. Conclusion: Compounds LSD2, LSD12, LSD13 and LSD15 showed strong in vitro antimycobacterial activity at a concentration of 6.25 μg/ml.