Abstract

Among the different chemotherapeutic classes available today, the 6-fluoroquinolone (6-FQ) antibacterials are still one of the most effective cures in fighting tuberculosis (TB). Nowadays, the development of novel 6-FQs for treatment of TB mainly depends on understanding how the structural modifications of the main quinolone scaffold at specific positions affect the anti-mycobacterial activity. Alongside the structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies of the 6-FQ antibacterials, which can be considered as a golden rule in the development of novel active antitubercular 6-FQs, the structure side effects relationship (SSER) of these drugs must be also taken into account. In the present study we focus on a proficient implementation of the existing knowledge-based expert systems for design of novel 6-FQ antibacterials with possible enhanced biological activity against Mycobaterium tuberculosis as well as lower toxicity. Following the SAR in silico studies of the quinolone antibacterials against M. tuberculosis performed in our laboratory, a large set of 6-FQs was selected. Several new 6-FQ derivatives were proposed as drug candidates for further research and development. The 6- FQs identified as potentially effective against M. tuberculosis were subjected to an additional SSER study for prediction of their toxicological profile. The assessment of structurally-driven adverse effects which might hamper the potential of new drug candidates is mandatory for an effective drug design. We applied publicly available knowledge-based (expert) systems and Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) models in order to prepare a priority list of active compounds. A preferred order of drug candidates was obtained, so that the less harmful candidates were identified for further testing.

TOXTREE expert system as well as some QSAR models developed in the framework of EC funded project CAESAR were used to assess toxicity. CAESAR models were developed according to the OECD principles for the validation of QSAR and they turn to be appropriate tools for in silico tests regarding five different toxicity endpoints. Those endpoints with high relevance for REACH are: bioconcentration factor, skin sensitization, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and developmental toxicity. We used the above-mentioned freely available models to select a set of less harmful active 6-FQs as candidates for clinical studies.

Keywords: Tuberculosis, antibacterial drugs, predictive models, new active molecules, assessment of toxicity, 6-Fluoroquinolones, Quinolone antibacterials, Vega platform, Caesar prediction models, Toxtree expert