Synthesis, biological assessment and molecular docking study of new sulfur-linked 1,2,4-triazole and 1,2,3-triazole hybrid derivatives as potential DNA gyrase inhibitors

A series of new pyridine-1,2,4-triazole-tagged 1,2,3-triazole hybrid molecules were obtained. The new compounds were synthesized via click chemistry of 1,2,4-triazole-3-thiopropargyl compounds and various azides. All compounds were fully characterized through their spectroscopic analyses. Furthermore, cytotoxic activity was assessed by screening against three cancer cell lines including human colon carcinoma (HCT116), human cervix carcinoma (HeLa) and human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7). In addition, antimicrobial assessment against one gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29,213), two Gram-negative bacteria (Sarcina lutea and Escherichia coli ATCC 25,922) and one fungal (Candida albicans NRRL Y–477) microorganism‏.‏ Molecular docking studies of the synthesized compounds against DNA gyrase were used to identify their binding ability to the target enzyme. The best docked molecules unveiled binding affinities to the target ranging from −9.5 to −8.8 kcal mol−1. The adsorption, distribution, metabolic, excretion, and toxicity (ADME/Tox) and drug-likeness analyses of the best docked compounds were evaluated using in silico techniques. Based on in vitro and in silico findings, these pyridine-1,2,4-triazole-tagged 1,2,3-triazole hybrid molecules may be helpful in designing potential antimicrobial drug candidates.