Thiosemicarbazones, semicarbazones, dithiocarbazates and hydrazide/ hydrazones: Anti - Mycobacterium tuberculosis activity and cytotoxicity

Abstract The aim of this study was to identify a candidate drug for the development of anti-tuberculosis therapy from previously synthesized compounds based on the thiosemicarbazones, semicarbazones, dithiocarbazates and hydrazide/hydrazones compounds. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of these compounds against Mycobacterium tuberculosis was determined. Their in vitro cytotoxicity to J774 cells (IC 50 ) was determined to establish a selectivity index (SI) (SI = IC 50 /MIC). The best compounds were the thiosemicarbazones ( 2 , 3 and 4 ) and the hydrazide/hydrazones ( 14 , 15 , 16 and 18 ). The results are comparable to or better than those of “first line” or “second line” drugs commonly used to treat TB, suggesting these compounds as anti-TB drug candidates.