Synthesis and biological evaluation of some novel N-aryl-1,4-dihydropyridines as potential antitubercular agents

1,4-Dihydropyridines are the emerging class of antitubercular agent. Recently, studies have revealed that 1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarbamoyl derivatives with lipophilic groups have demonstrated excellent antitubercular activity. We have synthesized new N-aryl-1,4-dihydropyridines bearing carbethoxy and acetyl group at C-3 and C-5 of the DHP ring. In addition, 1H-pyrazole ring is substituted at C-4 position. The lowest minimum inhibitory concentration value, 0.02 μg/mL, was found for diethyl 1-(2-chlorophenyl)-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate 4e making it more potent than first line antitubercular drug isoniazid. In addition, this compound exhibited relatively low cytotoxicity.