The study of 9,10-dihydroacridine derivatives as a new and effective molecular scaffold for antibacterial agent development.

The emergence of worldwide spreading drug-resistant bacteria has been a serious threat to public health during the past decades. The development of new and effective antibacterial agents to address this critical issue is an urgent action. In the present study, we investigated the antibacterial activity of two 9,10-dihydroacridine derivatives and their mechanism. Both compounds were found possessing strong antibacterial activity against some selected Gram-positive bacteria including MRSA, VISA and VRE. The biological study suggests that the compounds promoted FtsZ polymerization and also disrupted Z-ring formation at the dividing site and consequently, the bacterial cell division is interrupted and causing cell death. Image 1 • B1 and B2 possess strong antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. • B1 and B2 disrupted FtsZ function by inducing FtsZ polymerization. • B1 and B2 can restore antibacterial activity of methicillin against MRSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]