QSAR Analysis of Selected Antimicrobial Structures Belonging to Nitro-derivatives of Heterocyclic Compounds

Background: Nitro-derivatives of heterocyclic compounds were used as active agents against pathogenic microorganisms. A set of 4- and 5-nitroimidazole derivatives exhibiting antimicrobial activity was analyzed with the use of Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships (QSAR) method. The study included compounds used both in documented treatment and those described as experimental. Objective: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the common and differentiating characteristics of the above-mentioned chemical compounds alike physicochemically as well as pharmacologically based on the quantum chemical calculations and microbiological activity data. Methods: During the study PCA and MLR analysis were performed, as the types of proposed chemometric approach. The semi-empirical and ab initio level of in silico molecular modeling was performed for calculations of molecular descriptors. Results: QSAR models were proposed based on chosen descriptors. The relationship between the nitro-derivatives structure and microbiological activity data was able to class and describe the antimicrobial activity with the use of statistically significant molecular descriptors. Conclusion: The applied chemometric approaches revealed the influential features of the tested structures responsible for the antimicrobial activity of studied nitro-derivatives.