Design and synthesis of novel carbazolo–thiazoles as potential anti-mycobacterial agents using a molecular hybridization approach

Abstract

Various substituted carbazolo–thiazoles (compounds 6a–6o) were synthesized in good yields using a molecular hybridization approach. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro anti-tubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H₃₇Rv strain at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (Bethesda, MD, USA). Among the tested series, compound 6c (minimum inhibitory concentration 21 μM) showed the most promising anti-mycobacterial activity. Brief structure–activity relationship studies showed that the electron-donating groups (OCH₃ and OH), particularly on the phenyl ring of the thiazole motif, had a positive correlation with the anti-mycobacterial activity. In addition, they displayed low cytotoxicity against a mammalian Vero cell line using the MTT assay, thereby having a high therapeutic index. This study shows the importance of molecular hybridization and the scope for the development of carbazole–thiazole compounds as potential anti-mycobacterial agents.