Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of sulfamethazine derivatives as potent neuraminidase inhibitors.

Aim: The purpose of this study is to design and synthesize a new series of sulfamethazine derivatives as potent neuraminidase inhibitors. Materials & methods: A sulfamethazine lead compound, ZINC670537, was first identified by structure-based virtual screening technique, then some novel inhibitors X1-X10 based on ZINC670537 were designed and synthesized. Results: Compound X3 exerts the most good potency in inhibiting the wild-type H5N1 NA (IC(50) = 6.74 μM) and the H274Y mutant NA (IC(50) = 21.09 μM). 150-cavity occupation is very important in determining activities of these inhibitors. The sulfamethazine moiety also plays an important role. Conclusion: Compound X3 maybe regard as a good anti-influenza candidate to preform further study.