Synthesis and Activity of BNF15 Against drug-resistant <i>Mycobacterium Tuberculosis</i>

Abstract

<b>Aim:</b> Tuberculosis is the leading cause of mortality among infectious diseases worldwide. Finding a new competent anti tubercular therapy is essential. <b>Materials & methods:</b> We screened thousands of compounds and evaluated their efficacy against <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i>. <b>Results:</b> Initially, 2-nitronaphtho[2,3-b]benzofuran-6,11-dione was active against <i>M. tuberculosis</i>. Next, among 15 newly synthesized derivatives, BNF15 showed promising effect against all drug-sensitive and drug-resistant <i>M. tuberculosis</i> (MIC: 0.02-0.78 μg/ml). BNF15 effectively killed intracellular <i>M. tuberculosis</i> and nontuberculous mycobacteria. BNF15 exhibited a prolonged post antibiotic effect superior to isoniazid, streptomycin, and ethambutol and synergistic interaction with rifampicin. In acute oral toxicity test, BNF15 did not show toxic effect at a concentration up to 2000 mg/kg. <b>Conclusion:</b> These results highlight the perspective of BNF15 to treat drug-resistant <i>M. tuberculosis</i>.