Design, synthesis and bioactivity evaluation of novel arylalkene-amide derivatives as dual-target antifungal inhibitors

Abstract Ergosterol as the core component of fungal cell membrane plays a key role in maintaining cell morphology and permeability. The squalenee epoxidase (SE) and 14-demethylase (CYP51) are the important rate-limiting enzymes for ergosterol synthesis. In the study, these active fragments, which is derived from the structural groups of the common antifungal agents, were docked into the active sites of dual targets (SE, CYP51), respectively. Some of active fragments with the matching MCSS_Score values were selected and connected to construct three different series of novel arylalkene-amide derivatives as dual-target (SE, CYP51) antifungal inhibitors. Subsequently, these compounds were further synthesized, and their bioactivity was evaluated. Most of compounds showed a certain degree of antifungal activity in vitro. It was worth noting that the target compounds 17a and 25a with excellent antifungal activity (0.125–4 μg/mL) can inhibit the fluconazole-resistant Candida Strain 17#, CaR, 632, and 901 in the range of MIC values (4–8 μg/mL). Furthermore, their molecular mechanism, structural stability and low toxicity were further confirmed. The molecular docking and ADMET properties were predicted to guide the subsequent optimization of target compounds.