Recent Developments in the Antimicrobial Potential of Some Nitrogenous Heterocycles and their SAR Studies: A Review

Background: Infection remains a significant global health concern, with millions of new cases and deaths occurring due to infectious diseases. Currently, chemoprophylaxis and chemotherapy are the primary treatments, but side effects and toxicities pose challenges. Pathogenic microorganisms have developed resistance to antimicrobial medications. Nitrogen containing heterocyclic scaffolds possess the potential in drug discovery and are explored in various fields like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and agrochemicals. To minimize antimicrobial drug resistance, there is a need to design potent, safer antimicrobial lead compounds with higher selectivity and minimal cytotoxicity. Objectives: The present review aims to outline several recent developments in medicinal chemistry aspect of nitrogenous heterocyclic derivatives with the following purposes: (1) To cast light on the recent literature reports of the last eight years ranging from 2015 to 2023 describing anti-microbial potential of nitrogen-containing heterocyclic derivatives which includes pyrazole, pyrazoline, imidazole, tetrazole and quinoline; (2) To brief the recent developments in the medicinal chemistry of nitrogenous heterocyclic derivatives that is directed towards their anti-microbial profile; (3) To summarize the complete correlation of structural features of nitrogenous heterocyclic molecules with the pharmacological action including in silico as well as mechanistic studies to provide thoughts accompanying the generation of lead molecules. Methods: Antimicrobial potential of nitrogenous heterocyclic molecules has been displayed by relating the structural features of various lead candidates with their in vitro as well as in vivo antimicrobial outcomes. In contrast, in silico computational analysis from different articles also helped to predict the SAR of potent molecules. Results: Nitrogen containing heterocycles are involved in a range of natural to synthetic analogues with keen antimicrobial potency. It is an emerging need to generate new nitrogenous heterocyclic molecules in order to tackle the drug resistance in micro-organisms with more targeted selectivity as well as specificity. Conclusion: To limit the side effects associated with them and to combat the microbes acquired resistance towards the current drug regimen, novel nitrogenous heterocycle based antimicrobial agents are essential to be developed. This review connects the structural units present in lead compounds with their promising antimicrobial action.