Cationic amphiphilic meroterpenoids: synthesis, antibacterial, antifungal and mutagenic activity

In this research, using the thia-Michael reaction, cationic amphiphilic meroterpenoids containing fragments of mono- and sesquiterpenoids were synthesized. The bacteriostatic and fungistatic activity of synthesized meroterpenoids against the fungi Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida sp., Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis) and Gram-negative (Salmonella typhimurium, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria was studied. The compound containing the farnesyl fragment was most active against Saccharomyces cerevisiae (MIC 0.039 mg/mL), Candida sp. (MIC 0.078 mg/mL), Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus epidermidis (MIC 0.02 mg/mL) and Gram-negative Salmonella typhimurium (MIC 0.078 mg/mL). Besides, the Ames test demonstrated the absence of direct mutagenic action in all the studied compounds.