To discover novel antimicrobial drug, 22 novel acylated derivatives were synthesized by A-ring modification of glaucocalyxin A. The structures of these derivatives were confirmed by NMR and MS data. In vitro antimicrobial activity of these compounds was evaluated against E. faecium, E. faecalis, MRSA, E. coli, A. baumannii and K. pneumoniae. The results showed compound 3d against E. faecium, E. faecalis and MRSA with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 4 μg/ml. And further molecular docking revealed that compound 3d has a higher binding affinity. In conclusion, compound 3d has the potential to develop into a new drug against drug-resistant bacteria.
Keywords: Glaucocalyxin A; acylated; antibacterial activity; molecular docking.