Derivative 12(Konkuk University)

Combination of aztreonam (ATM) and avibactam (AVI) was proven to be synergistic against metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae. However, in the case of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), ATM-potentiation by AVI can hardly be achieved because PA has complex resistance mechanisms. In this study, we identified 3,7-bis-O-substituted difluoroquercetin derivatives 9 and 12 as new ATM-potentiating agents against the MBL-producing PAs through the simultaneous inhibition of NDM-1, OXA-10, and efflux pumps. Even though the inhibitory activity of 9 and 12 against the ATM-hydrolyzing β-lactamases (NDM-1 and OXA-10) as well as the efflux pumps is moderate, the simultaneous inhibition of multiple resistance mechanisms seems to result in remarkable potentiation of ATM against this formidable pathogen. Particularly, the IMP-producing CRPAs resistant to the most promising MBL-inhibitors were sensitized to ATM upon combination with compounds 9 and 12. Compound 9 demonstrated potent in vivo rescue of ATM activity in a murine thigh infection model.