Fluoroquinolones' Biological Activities against Laboratory Microbes and Cancer Cell Lines

Development of novel derivatives to rein in and fight bacteria have never been more demanding, as microbial resistance strains are alarmingly increasing. A multitude of new fluoroquinolones derivatives with an improved spectrum of activity and/or enhanced pharmacokinetics parameters have been widely explored. Reporting novel antimicrobial agents entails comparing their potential activity to their parent drugs; hence, parent fluoroquinolones have been used in research as positive controls. Given that these fluoroquinolones possess variable activities according to their generation, it is necessary to include parent compounds and market available antibiotics of the same class when investigating antimicrobial activity. Herein, we provide a detailed guide on the in vitro biological activity of fluoroquinolones based on experimental results published in the last years. This work permits researchers to compare and analyze potential fluoroquinolones as positive control agents and to evaluate changes occurring in their activities. More importantly, the selection of fluoroquinolones as positive controls by medicinal chemists when investigating novel FQs analogs must be correlated to the laboratory pathogen inquest for reliable results.

Automated summary

Development of novel derivatives to fight bacteria has become increasingly demanding due to the alarming increase in microbial resistance strains. Many new fluoroquinolone derivatives with improved activity spectrum and pharmacokinetics have been explored. The use of parent fluoroquinolones as positive controls in research is important as their activity varies by generation. The selection of appropriate control compounds and market available antibiotics of the same class is necessary to investigate antimicrobial activity. This article provides a detailed guide on the in vitro biological activity of fluoroquinolones, allowing researchers to compare and analyze potential agents and evaluate changes in their activities.