Synthesis, Antibacterial Activities, Mode of Action and Acute Toxicity Studies of New Oxazolidinone-Fluoroquinolone Hybrids

To combat bacterial resistance, a series of new oxazolidinone-fluoroquinolone hybrids have been synthesized and characterized. All synthetic hybrids were preliminarily evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial activities against 6 standard strains and 3 clinical isolates. The majority of hybrids displayed excellent activities against Gram-positive bacteria, but limited activities against Gram-negative bacteria. Hybrids OBP-4 and OBP-5 were found to be the most promising compounds. Further, in vitro antibacterial activities, mode of action and acute toxicity in mice of hybrids OBP-4 and OBP-5 were investigated. Hybrids OBP-4 and OBP-5 exhibited potent activities against Gram-positive bacteria, including drug-resistant strains. Correspondingly, studies on the mode of action of hybrids OBP-4 and OBP-5 indicated a strong inhibitory activity on protein synthesis by binding the active site of 50S subunit, but a weak inhibitory action on DNA synthesis. In addition, LD(50) values of hybrids OBP-4 and OBP-5 in the acute oral toxicity were larger than 2000 mg/kg, suggesting a good safety profile.