Synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular modeling study of some new methoxylated 2-benzylthio-quinazoline-4(3H)-ones as nonclassical antifolates.

A new series of 2,3,6-substituted-quinazolin-4-ones was designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their in vitro DHFR inhibition, antimicrobial, and antitumor activities. Compounds 28 and 61 proved to be active DHFR inhibitors with IC50 0.02 and 0.01μM, respectively. Molecular modeling studies concluded that recognition with the key amino acid Phe34 is essential for binding and hence DHFR inhibition. Compounds 34, 56 and 66 showed broad spectrum antimicrobial activity comparable to Gentamicin and Ciprofloxacin. Compounds 40 and 64 showed broad spectrum antitumor activity toward several tumor cell lines and proved to be 10 fold more active than 5-FU, with GI50 MG-MID values of 2.2 and 2.4μM, respectively.