Quinazolinone azolyl ethanols: potential lead antimicrobial agents with dual action modes targeting MRSA DNA

Aim: Due to bacterial drug resistance, a new series of quinazolinone azolyl ethanols were synthesized and evaluated. Results: In vitro antibacterial assay showed that triazolyl ethanol quinazolinone 3a was the most active compound, especially against MRSA with minimal inhibitory concentration value of 8 mu g/ml, which was superior to chloromycin and comparable to norfloxacin. Molecular docking study displayed that compound 3a could interact with MRSA DNA by the formation of hydrogen bonds. Further interactions of quinazolinone 3a with MRSA DNA suggested that it could intercalate into MRSA DNA to form 3a-DNA complex. DNA cleavage properties of 3a-Cu2+ and 3a-Zn2+ complexes were confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis experiments. Conclusion: Compound 3a should be a potential lead antibacterial molecule with dual action modes.