الخلاصة

Abstract Objectives: To synthesize ofloxacin-chalcones conjugates as possible mutual prodrugs of enhanced antibacterial activity and evaluate this activity against different bacterial strains. Methods: Two chalcone derivatives have been synthesized using Claisen–Schmidt condensation of p-hydroxyacetophenone with p-fluorobenzaldehyde and p-bromobenzaldehyde using SOCl2/EtOH as a catalyst to obtain finally a fluorinated chalcone derivative (FCD) and a brominated chalcone derivative (BCD) respectively. These synthesized chalcones derivatives were esterified with ofloxacin to obtain two possible mutual prodrugs that evaluated for its antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram negative bacteria in comparison with standard antibiotics: ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin using a disc diffusion method. Results: FTIR Spectroscopy, elemental microanalysis (CHN), and other physicochemical properties have been used to characterize the structure of the synthesized compounds.A moderate antibacterial activity of the synthesized chalcone derivatives (FCD and BCD) was obtained whereas their conjugates with ofloxacin were showed enhanced antibacterial activity in comparison with ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin using the culture and sensitivity test model on gram-positive and negative bacteria. Conclusion: Chalcones with their pronounced antibacterial activity can enhance the activity of Fluoroquinolones when conjugated with this class of antibiotics.