Semisynthetic Vitamin E Derivatives as Potent Antibacterial Agents against Resistant Gram-Positive Pathogens

New 5-substituted vitamin E derivatives were semisynthesized, and their antibacterial activity against human Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens was evaluated. Several vitamin E analogues were active against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and/or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE); structure-activity relationships (SARs) are discussed. As a result, it is shown that the presence of a carboxylic acid function at the C-5 position and/or at the end of the side chain is crucial for the antibacterial activity. The bactericidal or bacteriostatic action of three compounds against MRSA and MRSE was confirmed in a time-kill kinetics study, and the cytotoxicity on human cells was evaluated. The preliminary mechanism study by confocal microscopy indicated that those vitamin E analogues led to bacterial cell death through membrane disruption.