Synthesis and QSAR Studies of Claramine Derivatives, a New Class of Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Agents

The development of new antibiotics has been recognized for over two decades as a major challenge in combating multidrug-resistant bacteria. Herein, we report the synthesis and QSAR studies of claramine derivatives, a new class of broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents active against both susceptible and resistant Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains. The observed antimicrobial activities were rationalized based on key topological parameters of the derivatives, while cytotoxicity was interpreted by correlating half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values with QSAR models. Owing to the low cytotoxicity observed for several analogues, this molecular class represents a promising alternative for the development of novel agents to counteract multidrug resistance.