Recent advances in indole dimers and hybrids with antibacterial activity against methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), one of the major and most dangerous pathogens in humans, is a causative agent of severe pandemic of mainly skin and soft tissue and occasionally fatal infections. Therefore, it is imperative to develop potent and novel anti‐MRSA agents. Indole derivatives could act against diverse enzymes and receptors in bacteria, occupying a salient place in the development of novel antibacterial agents. Dimerization and hybridization are common strategies to discover new drugs, and a number of indole dimers and hybrids possess potential antibacterial activity against a panel of clinically important pathogens including MRSA. Accordingly, indole dimers and hybrids are privileged scaffolds for the discovery of novel anti‐MRSA agents. This review outlines the recent development of indole dimers and hybrids with a potential activity against MRSA, covering articles published between 2010 and 2020. The structure–activity relationship and the mechanism of action are also discussed to facilitate further rational design of more effective candidates.