Discovery of xanthone-based nitric oxide donors targeting biofilm clearance

Arch Pharm (Weinheim). 2025 Jan;358(1):e2400793. doi: 10.1002/ardp.202400793.

Abstract

Bacteria biofilm infection seriously challenges clinical drug therapy. Nitric oxide (NO) was reported to disperse biofilm, eliminate bacteria resistance and kill bacteria. In this study, on the basis of membrane targeting of α-mangostin (α-MG) and the dispersion effect of NO on bacteria biofilms, we designed and synthesized 30 NO donors that α-MG was conjugated with a nitrobenzene or a nitrate and other four representative reference derivatives. Compound 23 with 2-chloro-4-nitrobenzoyl introduced in the position C6 of α-MG exhibited the prominent ability to eradicate Staphylococcous aureus biofilm, and a more long-lasting and stable bactericidal effect in vitro, and lower hemolytic activity over α-MG. Moreover, a mouse wound model infected by S. aureus biofilm supported the in vivo reduced bacterial burden closely associated with the NO release from compound 23 that exerted a dispersing effect on biofilms. Therefore, our design strategy can provide a promising and effective solution to intervene in biofilm infection with high specificity.

Keywords: biofilm clearance; biofilm infection; nitric oxide (NO); α‐mangostin‐based NO donors.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / chemical synthesis
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / pharmacology
  • Biofilms* / drug effects
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Discovery
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide Donors* / chemical synthesis
  • Nitric Oxide Donors* / chemistry
  • Nitric Oxide Donors* / pharmacology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy
  • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Staphylococcus aureus* / drug effects
  • Staphylococcus aureus* / physiology
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Xanthones* / chemical synthesis
  • Xanthones* / chemistry
  • Xanthones* / pharmacology

Substances

  • Xanthones
  • Nitric Oxide Donors
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Nitric Oxide
  • mangostin