Synthesis, antimicrobial activity, pharmacophore modeling and molecular docking studies of new pyrazole-dimedone hybrid architectures.

BACKGROUND: Design and synthesis of pyrazole-dimedone derivatives were described by one-pot multicomponent reaction as new antimicrobial agents. These new molecular framework were synthesized in high yields with a broad substrate scope under benign conditions mediated by diethylamine (NHEt2). The molecular structures of the synthesized compounds were assigned based on different spectroscopic techniques (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, IR, MS, and CHN).
RESULTS: The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial and antifungal activities against S. aureus ATCC 29213, E. faecalis ATCC29212, B. subtilis ATCC 10400, and C. albicans ATCC 2091 using agar Cup plate method. Compound 4b exhibited the best activity against B. subtilis and E. faecalis with MIC = 16 µg/L. Compounds 4e and 4l exhibited the best activity against S. aureus with MIC = 16 µg/L. Compound 4k exhibited the best activity against B. subtilis with MIC = 8 µg/L. Compounds 4o was the most active compounds against C. albicans with MIC = 4 µg/L.
CONCLUSION: In-silico predictions were utilized to investigate the structure activity relationship of all the newly synthesized antimicrobial compounds. In this regard, a ligand-based pharmacophore model was developed highlighting the key features required for general antimicrobial activity. While the molecular docking was carried out to predict the most probable inhibition and binding mechanisms of these antibacterial and antifungal agents using the MOE docking suite against few reported target proteins.

Background

Nosocomial infections caused by antibiotic-resistant gram-positive bacteria have become a serious medical problem with an alarming increasing rate worldwide. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP) are of particular concern among various hospital-acquired infections [1]. Accordingly, emerging investigations have provided new insights into developing novel, safe and effective antibacterial agents. Within this scope, pyrazole based antibacterial agents attracted great interest [2]. Generally, pyrazoles display innumerable pharmacological activities ranging from analgesic, antipyretic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer effects to antidepressant, anticonvulsant, and selective enzyme inhibitory activities [2-11]. Recently, Barakat et al, have been reported novel pyrazole hybrid architectures as efficient antibacterial agents. Various pharmacophores were linked to the pyrazole core to build bioactive scaffolds [12, 13]. Within this approach, cyclic dicarbonyl compounds of the type dimedone have attracted our interest. Dimedone has been utilized successfully as pharmacophoric building block in various antimicrobial agents such as xanthenes [14, 15], substituted chromenes [16], macrocyclic metal complexes [17], quinazoline derivatives [18], tetrahydro quinolone diones [19] and acridine based compounds [20]. Recognizing these facts and in continuation of our previous work [12, 13] new hybrid molecules incorporating pyrazoles and dimedone in a single molecular framework were designed and synthesized. We subjected our target compounds to pharmacophore modeling and molecular docking on different target proteins to explore their mode of action.

Results and discussion

Chemistry

The designed bioactive scaffolds were synthesized utilizing green approach. The pyrazole-dimedone derivatives were prepared as shown in Scheme 1 via one pot Knoevenagel condensation Michael addition of 3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-one, 1,3-dicarbonyl compound (dimedone) and various aldehydes mediated by aqueous NHEt2. This one pot multicomponent reaction afforded the final targets as hybrid frameworks 4a–o in good yields (40–78%) with substrate tolerance of pyrazole-dimedone derivatives. The chemical structures of all the synthesized compounds were assigned by the aid of physical and spectroscopic methods (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, IR, and elemental analyses).

Scheme 1

Substrate scope of the cascade reaction: variation of pyrazole-dimedone adducts

The suggested mechanisms for obtaining the target compounds are shown in Scheme 2. Olefin is formed by Knoevenagel condensation of aryl aldehyde 1 and 1,3-diketone 2 to give benzylidenecyclohexandione intermediate which acts as a Michael acceptor. This Michael acceptor is attached by 3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-one 3 (Michael donor) to give the requisite final targets 4a (Path A). Another bath way is Knoevenagel condensation between aryl aldehyde 1 and 3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-one 3 to generate benzylidenepyrazolone intermediate which acts as a Michael acceptor. This Michael acceptor is attacked by 1,3-diketone 2 (Michael donor) to afford the final product 4a (Path B).

Scheme 2

Possible mechanisms for the tandem Aldol-Michael reaction

Antimicrobial activity

The synthesized pyrazole-dimedone derivatives showed various antibacterial activities. Results of the bactericidal activity are shown in Table 1; the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) results are expressed as µg/L inhibition.

Table 1

Results of cup-plate method expressed as minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the compounds in (μg/L)

Entry	Compounds	Gram positive bacteria						Yeast
		S. aureus ATCC 29213		E. faecalis ATCC29212		B. subtilis ATCC10400		C. albicans ATCC2091
		CPM (mm)	MIC (µg/L)	CPM (mm)	MIC (µg/L)	CPM (mm)	MIC (µg/L)	CPM (mm)	MIC (µg/L)
1	4a	13	32	14	32	12	32	14	32
2	4b	15	32	13	16	15	16	15	32
3	4c	13	32	24	32	16	32	15	16
4	4d	16	32	16	32	18	32	16	16
5	4e	19	16	15	32	14	64	14	32
6	4f	14	32	13	64	15	32	14	32
7	4g	14	32	15	32	16	32	14	32
8	4h	12	64	14	32	16	32	17	16
9	4i	14	32	12	64	17	32	14	32
10	4j	10	64	13	32	10	32	13	32
11	4k	13	32	13	32	20	8	15	16
12	4l	16	16	16	32	16	32	14	32
13	4m	15	32	13	32	12	32	16	16
14	4n	14	32	13	32	15	32	14	32
15	4o	13	32	20	32	15	16	21	4
STD	Ciprofloxacin	27	≤ 0. 25	24	≤ 0.25	25	≤ 0.25	ND	ND
	Fluconazole	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND	28	0.5

Antibacterial activity against gram positive bacteria

The antibacterial activity of the novel pyrazole-dimedone compounds were evaluated against gram positive bacteria including n class="Species">E. faecalis ATCC29212, S. aureus ATCC 29213, and B. subtilis ATCC 10400. Ciprofloxacin was used as standard drug.

The results listed in Table 1 revealed that all pyrazole-dimedone compounds were active against the tested-strains including S. aureus, E. faecalis, and B. subtilis. Pyrazole-dimedone 4k was the most active compound against B. subtilis with MIC value of 8 µg/L. Compounds 4e and 4l having 3-methyl and 4-trifluromethyl substituents on the phenyl ring respectively exhibited good activity against S. aureus with MIC value of 16 µg/L. Compounds 4a-d, 4f,g,i,k and 4m–o showed relatively lower activity against S. aureus with MIC value of 32 µg/L. Compounds 4h and 4j having 4-nitro and 4-methoxy substituents on the phenyl ring were the least active derivatives against S. aureus with MIC values of 64 µg/L. Compound 4b bearing unsubstituted phenyl ring exhibited good activity against E. faecalis with MIC values of 16 µg/L. Compounds 4a, c–e, 4g, h and 4j–o showed lower activity against E. faecalis with MIC value of 32 µg/L. Compounds 4f and 4i having 4-bromo and 3-nitro substituents on the phenyl ring respectively were shown as the least active derivatives against E. faecalis with MIC value of 64 µg/L.

Substituted pyrazole-dimedone 4b without substituent on the phenyl ring and 4o having thiophene ring exhibited good activity against B. subtilis with MIC value of 16 µg/L. Compounds 4a, c, d, 4f–j and 4l–o showed lower activity against B. subtilis with MIC value of 32 µg/L. Compound 4e having 3-methyl substituent on the phenyl ring was shown to be the least active against B. subtilis with MIC value of 64 µg/L.

Antifungal activity

The newly synthesized pyrazole-dimedone derivatives were evaluated for their antifungal activity against fungi C. albicans (ATCC 2091) by the diffusion agar and serial dilution method (BSAC, 2015) [23] Fluconazole was used as standard antifungal agent. Results shown in Table 1 revealed that all pyrazole-dimedone compounds 4a-o were active against the tested-strains C. albicans ATCC 2091. Pyrazole-dimedone 4o bearing thiophene was the most active compounds from this series against C. albicans ATCC 2091 with MIC value of 4 µg/L. Compounds 4c, d, h, k, m possessed good activity against C. albicans with MIC values of 16 µg/L. Compounds 4a, b, 4e–g, and 4i, j, g, n were the least active among this series as antifungal agent with MIC values of 32 µg/L.

Structure activity relationship profiling via pharmacophore modeling

First of all, to predict the structure activity relationship (SAR) of all the newly synthesized antimicrobial compounds, a ligand-based pharmacophore model was developed. This is the most reliable way to design new potent active molecules having similar scaffolds by utilizing their biological data in computational predictions. In this study, the selected pharmacophore including one hydrogen bond acceptor (F1: Acc& ML), one hydrogen bond donor (F2: Don, Acc& ML) and one hydrophobic feature with an aromatic center (F3: ML/Hyd/Aro) (Fig. 1a) was mapped over active compounds (Fig. 1b). The mapping was evaluated on the basis of their lowest RMSD between query and matching annotations (Fig. 1c, d).

Fig. 1

a Best query displaying pharmacophoric features shared by active lead compounds as colored spheres (cyan for hydrogen bond acceptor function with metal ligator (F1: Acc& ML), pink for hydrogen bond acceptor/donor function with metal ligator (F2: Don, Acc& ML) as well as cyan for hydrophobic region with aromatic centre, hydrogen bond acceptor or metal ligator function (F3: ML/Hyd/Aro/Acc). b Validation of the selected query; mapping of previously reported active compounds 4a and 4n [12] as well as 4a and 4f [13], showing RMSD values in acceptable range (0.2823-0.4993). c Mapping of compound 4k on pharmacophore model. d Mapping of compound 4o on pharmacophore model

The lowest RMSD indicates better compound fitness to the selected model. Results in Table 2 showed that all the active compounds were able to satisfy the pharmacophoric features of the generated model with RMSD values ranging from 0.3907 to 0.6571 Å along with their most suitable alignment of each compound over query. These results indicated the critical role of aromatic ring substitution which greatly effects the spatial orientation of cyclohexane ring with respect to the pyrazole moiety. This might be the best explanation to understand the differences in their respective antimicrobial activity profile.

Table 2

RMSD values along with their suitable alignment for Hit Compounds

Comp. no.	4b	4c	4d	4e	4h	4k	4l	4m	4o
RMSD (Å)	0.3907	0.4715	0.4639	0.4663	0.4662	0.5938	0.5070	0.6571	0.5660

Docking simulation to predict the mode of inhibition

After SAR profiling, docking studies were carried out to predict the most suitable binding pose and inhibition mechanism of newly synthesized derivatives. But before docking, based on the principle that similar Compounds tend to bind to the same proteins, we predicted few protein targets reported against reference compounds (ciprofloxacin and fluconazole) and docked our active compounds against them. Binding DB brought in seven different target proteins i.e. Dihydrofolate Reductase (DHFR) (PDB ID 4HOF), Secreted Aspartic Protease (PDB ID 3Q70), and N-myristoyl Transferase (PDB ID 1IYL) from C. Albicans as fungal target together with Dihydrofolate Reductase (PDB ID 3FYV), Gyrase B (PDB ID 4URM), Thymidylate Kinase (TMK) (PDB ID 4QGG) and Sortase A (PDB ID 2MLM) from S. aureus as bacterial target. Among all these seven proteins, only two proteins i.e. one proteins (Thymidylate Kinase) from S. aureus [21] and one protein (N-myristoyl transferase) from C. albican [22] presented good binding affinity, while all other targets showed very few or no interactions with these derivatives.

The potencies of these newly synthesised derivatives were measured computationally in terms of their dock Scores. Dock score which is actually the strength of the non-covalent interactions among multiple molecules within the binding pocket of a target protein. The more negative the score is, the more favorable interactions between compound and the target protein are. Here in our study, the compound 4l being the most potent antibacterial agent against TMK (ID: 4QGG) from S. aurues, displayed the highest negative score of − 6.86 kcal/mol which is comparable of the standard drug ciprofloxacin with the score of − 6.9 kcal/mol. Similarly, 4o being the most potent antifungal agent displayed good docking score of − 8.7 kcal/mol and molecular interactions with N-myristoyl transferase (NMT) enzyme from C. Albicans.

Among all derivatives, compound 4l displayed the same electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions with crucial residues of TMK protein from S. aureusas presented by co-crystallized ligand. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the substituted part of compound 4l moved inside the cavity where both chlorine atoms at 2 and 4 positions were engaged in the formation of two halogen bonds with the amino groups of Arg70 and Gln101 at 2.14 Å and 2.53 Å, respectively. Moreover, dichloro substituted benzene ring along with the pyrazole ring displayed various π–π and π-cation interactions with the crucial residues Phe66 and Arg92 of the target protein. Apart from it, the carbon atom located at R position and methyl of pyrazole ring were observed to establish hydrophobic interactions with Arg48 and Phe66 of TMK protein that might be responsible for their potent antibacterial activity.

Fig. 2

3-D interaction diagram for the compound 4l (magenta) presenting a number of electrostatic (red dotted lines) and hydrophobic interactions (orange) with crucial residues of Thymidylate Kinase target protein (gray) from S.aureus

Comparatively, compound 4k being the most active against B. subtilis species showed less or very few interactions with the TMK protein (4QGG) from S. aureus origin (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3

3D ribbon diagram of the active site of Thymidylate Kinase (grey) from S. aureus species displaying few electrostatic (red line) and multiple hydrophobic and π–π interactions with hotspot residues (hot pink) responsible for the moderate inhibitory activity of most potent compound 4k

Similarly, the molecular visualization of 4o revealed a number of significant electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions with the crucial residues of NMT. Figure 4 showed that the hydroxyl moiety attached at dimedone ring presented visible hydrogen bond with Tyr107 at a distance of 2.48 Å. Apart from it, three π–π interactions were observed among phenyl and thiol and hotspot residues Phe117, Tyr225 and Tyr 354. Simultaneously, several hydrophobic interactions were also noticed among compound 4o and the crucial residues i.e. Tyr107, Phe 117, Tyr119, Tyr225, Tyr335. These results predicted TMK (S. aureus) and NMT (C. albicans) as the most probable targets for the antibacterial and antifungal activity of these newly synthesized agents.

Fig. 4

The post docking interaction map of most potent antifungal compound 4o (magenta) exhibiting multiple types of interactions involving hydrophobic, π–π and electrostatic interactions (red lines) with the significant residues of antifungal target protein N-myristoyl transferase enzyme (light blue) from C. albicans

Conclusions

By using one-pot green protocol a series of pyrazole-dimedone derivatives (4a–o) were synthesized in high yields with a broad substrate scope under mild reaction conditions in water mediated by NHEt2. The requisite compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial and antifungal activities. After experimental investigations, structure–activity relationship profiling was predicted by ligand-based pharmacophore modeling highlighting three features as a requirement for their antimicrobial activity. While Molecular docking predicted the molecular mechanisms of these derivatives with seven different target proteins. Among them, TMK from S. aureus and NMT protein from C. albicans were predicted as the most suitable targets for the antibacterial and antifungal activities of these newly synthesized derivatives.

Experimental

Materials and methods

General

“All the chemicals were purchased from Aldrich, Sigma-Aldrich, Fluka etc., and were used without further purification, unless otherwise stated. All melting points were measured on a Gallenkamp melting point apparatus in open glass capillaries and are uncorrected. IR Spectra were measured as KBr pellets on a Nicolet 6700 FT-IR spectrophotometer. The NMR spectra were recorded on a Varian Mercury Jeol-400 NMR spectrometer. 1H-NMR (400 MHz), and 13C-NMR (100 MHz) were run in either deuterated dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO-d6) or deuterated chloroform (CDCl3). Chemical shifts (δ) are referred in terms of ppm and J-coupling constants are given in Hz. Mass spectra were recorded on a Jeol of JMS-600 H. Elemental analysis was carried out on Elmer 2400 Elemental Analyzer; CHN mode”.

General procedure for Knoevenagel condensation Michael addition for the synthesis of 4a–o (GP1)

A mixture of aldehyde 1 (1.5 mmol), n class="Chemical">5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,3-dione 2, (1.5 mmol), 3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-one (1.5 mmol) and Et2NH (1.5 mmol, 155 μL) in 3 mL of degassed H2O was stirred at room temperature for 1–12 h until TLC showed complete disappearance of the reactants. The precipitate was removed by filtration and washed with ether (3 × 20 mL). Solid was dried to afford pure products 4a–o.

5-((2,4-Dichlorophenyl)(2-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-6-oxocyclohex-1-en-1-yl)methyl)-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-olate diethylaminium salt4a

4a was prepared according to the general procedure (GP1) from n class="Chemical">2,4-dichlorobenzaldehyde yielding orange powdered materials. m.p: 144 °C; IR (CsI, cm−): 3451, 2984, 2868, 2719, 2492, 1598, 1501, 1468, 1380, 1262; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): 8.08 (d, 1H, J = 7.3 Hz, Ph), 7.93 (d, H, J = 7.3 Hz, Ph), 7.42 (s, 1H, Ph), 7.32–7.04 (m, 5H, Ph), 4.96 (s, 1H, CH = C), 2.85 (q, 4H, J = 7.3 Hz, CH2CH3), 2.12 (s, 3H, CH3), 1.11 (t, 6H, J = 7.3 Hz, CH2CH3); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 157.6, 145.5, 142.4, 140.6, 132.1, 131.9, 128.3, 128.0, 126.6, 123.0, 119.1, 100.9, 41.7, 30.9, 13.2, 11.0; LC/MS (ESI): 330.07 [M]+for C18H16Cl2N2; Anal. for C21H24Cl2N3O; calcd C, 62.23; H, 5.97; Cl, 17.49; N, 10.37; Found: C, 62.23; H, 5.97; Cl, 17.49; N, 10.37.

3-Hydroxy-2-((5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)(phenyl)methyl)-5,5-dimethylcyclohex-2-enone diethylaminium salt4b

4b was prepared according to the general procedure (GP1) from benzaldehyde yielding orange powdered materials. m.p: 102 °C; IR (CsI cm−1): 3448, 3058, 2957, 2732, 2507, 1582, 1579, 1501, 1492, 1454, 1365, 1263; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 15.30 (s, 1H, OH), 7.92(m, 3H, Ph), 7.33–7.07 (m, 7H, Ph), 5.75 (s, 1H, benzyl-H), 2.86 (q, 4H, J = 7.3 Hz, CH2CH3), 2.16 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.12 (s, 2H, CH2), 2.09 (s, 2H, CH2), 1.11 (t, 6H, J = 7.3 Hz, CH2CH3), 1.10 (s, 3H, CH3), 1.00 (s, 3H, CH3); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 189.8, 157.2, 146.4, 145.8, 145.5, 140.5, 128.4, 128.3, 127.7, 127.2, 119.1, 102.2, 79.2, 41.4, 30.2, 28.8, 12.9, 12.7, 11.00; LC/MS (ESI): 262.1M]+ for C18H18N2; Anal. for C29H38N3O3; calcdC, 73.08; H, 8.04; N, 8.82; Found: C, 73.07; H, 8.05; N, 8.83.

Diethylammonium 5-((4-chlorophenyl)(2-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-6-oxocyclohex-1-en-1-yl)methyl)-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol -4-olate4c

4c was prepared according to the general procedure (GP1) from 4-chlorobenzaldehyde yielding orange powdered materials. m.p: 92 °C; IR (CsI cm−1): 3450, 2958, 2868, 2732, 2506, 1702, 1579, 1501, 1487, 1387, 1366, 1318, 1263; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 15.30 (s, 1H, OH), 7.34–7.07 (m, 7H, Ph), 5.57 (s, 1H, benzyl-H), 2.91(q, 4H, J = 7.3 Hz, CH2CH3), 2.19 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.18 (s, 2H, CH2), 2.12 (s, 2H, CH2), 0.99(t, 6H, J = 7.3 Hz, CH2CH3), 1.14 (s, 3H, CH3), 1.15 (s, 3H, CH3); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 189.8, 157.2, 146.4, 145.8, 145.5, 140.5, 128.4, 128.3, 127.7, 127.2, 119.1, 102.2, 79.2, 41.4, 30.2, 28.8, 12.9, 12.7, 11.00; LC/MS (ESI): 262.1 M]+ for C18H17ClN2; Anal. for C29H36ClN3O3; Calcd C, 73.08; H, 8.04; N, 8.82; Found: C, 73.07; H, 8.05; N, 8.83, Cl, 6.21.

3-Hydroxy-2-((5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)(p-tolyl)methyl)-5,5-dimethylcyclohex-2-enone diethylaminium salt4d

4d was prepared according to the general procedure (GP1) from p-tolualdehyde yielding orange powdered materials. m.p: 104 °C; IR (CsI, cm−1): 3450, 3017, 2956, 2732, 2506, 1683, 1581, 1501, 1455, 1386, 1318, 1260; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ 15.45 (s, 1H, OH), 7.67 (dd, 2H, J = 7.3 Hz, 1.5 Hz, Ph), 7.28 (dd, 2H, J = 7.3 Hz, 1.5 Hz, Ph), 7.20–6.94 (m, 5H, Ph), 5.62 (s, 1H, benzyl-H), 2.31 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.29 (s, 2H, CH2), 2.28 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.23 (s, 2H, CH2), 2.18 (q, 4H, J = 7.3 Hz, CH2CH3), 1.01 (s, 6H, CH3), 0.84 (t, 6H, J = 7.3 Hz, CH2CH3); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 189.8, 168.5, 157.9, 145.9, 140.4, 128.8, 128.7, 128.5, 127.6, 127.3, 121.7, 121.3, 80.3, 41.7, 31.5, 20.9, 12.6, 11.5; LC/MS (ESI): 276.1 [M]+ for C19H20N2; Anal. for C30H40N3O3; calcdC, 73.44; H, 8.22; N, 8.56; Found: C, 73.43; H, 8.23; N, 8.57.

3-Hydroxy-2-((5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)(m-tolyl)methyl)-5,5-dimethylcyclohex-2-enone diethylaminium salt4e

4e was prepared according to the general procedure (GP1) from m-tolualdehyde yielding orange powdered materials. m.p: 97 °C; IR (CsI, cm−1): 3449, 3033, 2956, 2731, 2506, 1581, 1501, 1387, 1318, 1261; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 15.45 (s, 1H, OH), 7.68 (dd, 2H, J = 7.3 Hz, 1.5 Hz, Ph), 7.63 (dd, 2H, J = 7.3 Hz, 1.5 Hz, Ph), 7.28–7.06 (m, 5H, Ph), 5.62 (s, 1H, benzyl-H), 2.30 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.20 (s, 2H, CH2), 2.23 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.18 (s, 2H, CH2), 2.25 (q, 4H, J = 7.3 Hz, CH2CH3), 1.00 (s, 6H, CH3), 0.83 (t, 6H, J = 7.3 Hz, CH2CH3); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 189.8, 168.5, 157.9, 145.9, 140.4, 128.8, 128.7, 128.5, 127.6, 127.3, 121.7, 121.3, 80.3, 41.7, 31.5, 20.9, 12.6, 11.5; Anal. for C30H40N3O3; calcdC, 73.44; H, 8.22; N, 8.56; Found: C, 73.43; H, 8.23; N, 8.57.

2-((4-Bromophenyl)(5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl)-3-hydroxy-5,5-dimethylcyclohex -2-enone diethylaminium salt4f

4f was prepared according to the general procedure (GP1) from p-bromobenzaldehyde yielding orange powdered materials. m.p: 86 °C; IR (KBr, cm−1): 3449, 2957, 2868, 2731, 250, 1699, 1579, 1501, 1483, 1388, 1263; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 15.45 (s, 1H, OH), 7.91 (dd, 2H, J = 7.3 Hz, 1.5 Hz, Ph), 7.35–7.26 (m, 5H, Ph), 7.20–6.96 (dd, 2H, J = 7.3 Hz, 1.5 Hz, Ph), 5.50 (s, 1H, benzyl-H), 2.90 (q, 4H, J = 7.3 Hz, CH2CH3), 2.13 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.07 (s, 2H, CH2), 2.05 (s, 2H, CH2), 1.14 (t, 6H, J = 7.3 Hz, CH2CH3), 1.12 (s, 3H, CH3), 0.96 (s, 3H, CH3); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 189.8, 157.2, 155.9, 147.0, 145.8, 145.5, 140.7, 130.4, 129.6, 129.5, 128.4, 128.2, 122.9, 119.0, 118.8, 101.7, 79.7, 41.4, 31.9, 30.1, 28.3, 12.9, 128, 11.0; LC/MS (ESI): 340.1 [M]+ for C18H17BrN2; Anal. for C29H37BrN3O3; calcd C, 62.70; H, 6.71; Br, 14.38; N, 7.56; Found: C, 62.71; H, 6.71; Br, 14.39; N, 7.54.

2-((3-Bromophenyl)(5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl)-3-hydroxy-5,5-dimethylcyclohex -2-enone diethylaminium salt4g

4g was prepared according to the general procedure (GP1) from m-bromobenzaldehyde yielding rose powdered materials. m.p: 97 °C; IR (KBr, cm−1): 3447, 2957, 2868, 2730, 2505, 1584, 1501, 1470, 1388, 1365, 1262; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 15.45 (s, 1H, OH), 7.92 (dd, 1H, J = 7.3 Hz, 1.5 Hz, Ph), 7.50 (s, 1H, Ph), 7.35–7.04 (m, 8H, Ph), 5.55 (s, 1H, benzyl-H), 2.89 (q, 4H, J = 7.3 Hz, CH2CH3), 2.15 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.09 (s, 2H, CH2), 2.06 (s, 2H, CH2), 1.14 (t, 6H, J = 7.3 Hz, CH2CH3), 1.10 (s, 3H, CH3), 0.98 (s, 3H, CH3); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 189.8, 157.2, 155.9, 149.3, 147.0, 145.8, 145.5, 140.7, 140.2, 129.9, 128.4, 128.3, 123.0, 119.0, 118.8, 101.6, 79.1, 41.4, 31.9, 30.1, 28.3, 12.9, 128, 11.0; LC/MS (ESI): 340.1 [M]+ for C18H17BrN2; Anal. for C29H37BrN3O3; calcd C, 62.70; H, 6.71; Br, 14.38; N, 7.56; Found: C, 62.71; H, 6.71; Br, 14.39; N, 7.53.

3-Hydroxy-2-((5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)(4-nitrophenyl)methyl)-5,5-dimethylcyclohex-2-enone diethylaminium salt4h

4h was prepared n class="Gene">according to the general procedure (GP1) from p-nitrobenzaldehyde yielding paige powdered materials. m.p: 106 °C; IR (CsI, cm−1): 3451, 2958, 2869, 2732, 2503, 1707, 1597, 1513, 1387, 1320, 1267; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ 15.40 (s, 1H, OH), 8.02 (dd, 2H, J = 7.3 Hz, 1.5 Hz, Ph), 7.61 (dd, 2H, J = 7.3 Hz, 1.5 Hz, Ph), 7.31–7.19 (m, 5H, Ph), 5.72 (s, 1H, benzyl-H), 2.70 (q, 4H, J = 7.3 Hz, CH2CH3), 2.27 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.24 (s, 2H, CH2), 2.19 (s, 2H, CH2), 1.07 (s, 6H, CH3), 1.02 (t, 6H, J = 7.3 Hz, CH2CH3); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 189.8, 157.9, 145.9, 140.4, 128.7, 128.6, 128.2, 127.9, 127.7, 125.3, 124.8, 121.6, 121.2, 80.3, 42.3, 31.6, 21.7, 11.4; LC/MS (ESI): 307.1 [M]+ for C18H17N3O2; Anal. for C29H37N4O5; calcd C, 66.77; H, 7.15; N, 10.74; Found: C, 66.75; H, 7.16; N, 10.75.

3-Hydroxy-2-((5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)(3-nitrophenyl)methyl)-5,5-dimethylcyclohex2-enone diethylaminium salt4i

4i was prepared according to the general procedure (GP1) from m-nitrobenzaldehyde yielding white paige powdered materials. m.p: 99 °C; IR (CsI, cm−1): 3447, 3067, 2958, 2731, 2560, 1705, 1597, 1502, 1387, 1348, 1265; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ 15.30 (s, 1H, OH), 8.02(dd, 2H, J = 7.3 Hz, 1.5 Hz, Ph), 7.61 (dd, 2H, J = 7.3 Hz, 1.5 Hz, Ph), 7.31–7.19 (m, 5H, Ph), 5.72 (s, 1H, benzyl-H), 2.64 (q, 4H, J = 7.3 Hz, CH2CH3), 2.27 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.25 (s, 2H, CH2), 2.18 (s, 2H, CH2), 1.05 (s, 6H, CH3), 1.02 (t, 6H, J = 7.3 Hz, CH2CH3); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 189.8, 157.9, 145.9, 140.4, 128.7, 128.6, 128.2, 127.9, 127.7, 125.3, 124.8, 121.6, 121.2, 80.3, 42.3, 31.6, 21.7, 11.6; LC/MS (ESI): 307.1 [M]+ for C18H17N3O2; Anal. for C29H37N4O5; calcd C, 66.77; H, 7.15; N, 10.74; Found: C, 66.75; H, 7.16; N, 10.75.

3-Hydroxy-2-((5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl)-5,5-dimethylcyclo hex-2-enone diethylaminium salt4j

4j was prepared according to the general procedure (GP1) from anisaldehyde yielding deep orange materials. m.p: 84 °C; IR (CsI, cm−1): 3451, 2956, 2835, 2732, 2507, 1681, 1598, 1502, 1456, 1366, 1318, 1261; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ 15.35 (s, 1H, OH), 7.64 (dd, 2H, J = 7.3 Hz, 1.5 Hz, Ph), 7.27(dd, 2H, J = 7.3 Hz, 1.5 Hz, Ph), 7.14–6,68 (m, 5H, Ph), 5.59 (s, 1H, benzyl-H), 3.69 (s, 3H, OCH3), 2.33 (q, 4H, J = 7.3 Hz, CH2CH3), 2.27 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.25 (s, 2H, CH2), 2.17 (s, 2H, CH2), 0.99 (s, 6H, CH3), 0.83 (t, 6H, J = 7.3 Hz, CH2CH3); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 189.8, 157.9, 145.9, 140.4, 136.8, 128.8, 128.6, 125.4, 121.7, 121.3, 114.4, 113.4, 113.2, 80.3, 55.4, 41.7, 31.4, 11.2; LC/MS (ESI): 292.1 [M]+ for C19H20N2O; Anal. for C30H40N3O4; calcd C, 71.12; H, 7.96; N, 8.29; Found: C, 71.11; H, 7.97; N, 8.31.

2-((4-Fluorophenyl)(5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl)-3-hydroxy-5,5-dimethylcyclohex -2-enone diethylaminium salt4k

4k was prepared according to the general procedure (GP1) from p-fluorobenzaldehyde yielding orange powdered materials. m.p: 99 °C; IR (KBr, cm−1): 3450, 3.35, 2958, 2869, 2731, 2507, 1598, 1580, 1501, 1387, 1262; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 15.45 (s, 1H, OH), 7.89–7.83 (dd, 2H, J = 7.3 Hz, 1.5 Hz, Ph), 7.32–7.28(dd, 2H, J = 7.3 Hz, 1.5 Hz, Ph), 7.20–6.94 (m, 5H, Ph), 5.53 (s, 1H, benzyl-H), 2.90 (q, 4H, J = 7.3 Hz, CH2CH3), 2.16 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.11 (s, 2H, CH2), 2.07 (s, 2H, CH2), 1.14 (t, 6H, J = 7.3 Hz, CH2CH3), 1.11 (s, 3H, CH3), 0.97 (s, 3H, CH3); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 189.8, 157.2, 147.0, 145.7, 140.2, 128.6, 128.5, 128.3, 123.3, 119.2, 118.9, 113.6, 102.4, 102.3, 79.2, 41.4, 31.3, 30.1, 28.7, 12.8, 12.6, 11.0; LC/MS (ESI): 280.1 [M]+ For C18H17FN2; Anal. for C29H37FN3O3; calcd C, 70.42; H, 7.54; F, 3.84; N, 8.50; Found: C, 70.43; H, 7.54; F, 3.83; N, 8.49.

3-Hydroxy-2-((5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)methyl)-5, 5-dimethylcyclohex-2-enone diethylaminium salt4l

4l was prepared according to the general procedure (GP1) from p-trifluoromethylbenzaldehyde yielding yellow powdered materials. m.p: 96 °C; IR (CsI, cm−1): 3451, 2959, 2870, 2733, 2506, 1615, 1598, 1502, 1387, 1325, 1266; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ 16.45 (s, 1H, OH), 7.94–7.90 (dd, 2H, J = 7.3 Hz, 1.5 Hz, Ph), 7.57–7.44 (dd, 2H, J = 7.3 Hz, 1.5 Hz, Ph), 7.34–7.06 (m, 5H, Ph), 5.76 (s, 1H, benzyl-H), 2.91 (q, 4H, J = 7.3 Hz, CH2CH3), 2.19 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.12 (s, 2H, CH2), 2.10 (s, 2H, CH2), 1.15 (t, 6H, J = 7.3 Hz, CH2CH3),1.11 (s, 3H, CH3), 1.00 (s, 3H, CH3); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 157.2, 147.0, 145.7, 140.2, 128.6, 128.5, 128.3, 123.3, 119.2, 118.9, 113.6, 102.4, 102.3, 79.2, 41.4, 31.3, 30.1, 28.7, 12.8, 12.6, 11.0; LC/MS (ESI): 330.13 [M]+ for C19H17F3N2; Anal. for C30H37F3N3O3; calcd C, 66.16; H, 6.85; F, 10.46; N, 7.72; Found: C, 66.17; H, 6.86; F, 10.45; N, 7.71.

5-((2,6-Dichlorophenyl)(2-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-6-oxocyclohex-1-en-1-yl)methyl)-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-py razol-4-olate diethylaminium salt4m

4m was prepared according to the general procedure (GP1) from n class="Chemical">2,6-dicholorobenzaldehyde yielding deep orange powdered materials. m.p: 142 °C; IR (CsI, cm−1): 3459, 3117, 3061, 2973, 2834, 2479, 1657, 1646, 1596, 1500, 1431, 1311, 153; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): 8.08 (d, 1H, J = 7.3 Hz, Ph), 7.93 (d, H, J = 7.3 Hz, Ph), 7.42 (s, 1H, Ph), 7.32–7.04 (m, 5H, Ph), 4.96 (s, 1H, CH = C), 2.85 (q, 4H, J = 7.3 Hz, CH2CH3), 2.12 (s, 3H, CH3), 1.11 (t, 6H, J = 7.3 Hz, CH2CH3); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 161.6, 160.1, 150.0, 148.0, 132.9, 132.7, 131.3, 129.0, 128.9, 128.5, 128.1, 118.1, 117.8, 14.4; LC/MS (ESI): 330.07 [M]+for C18H16Cl2N2; Anal. for C17H12Cl2N2O; calcd C, 61.65; H, 3.65; Cl, 21.41; N, 8.46; Found: C, 61.64; H, 3.63; Cl, 21.40; N, 8.44.

5-((2-Hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-6-oxocyclohex-1-en-1-yl)(naphthalen-2-yl)methyl)-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyraz ol-4-olate diethylaminium salt4n

4n was prepared according to the general procedure (GP1) from naphthaldehyde yielding orange powdered materials. m.p: 102 °C; IR (CsI, cm−1): 3452, 3053, 2956, 2729, 2500, 1692, 1579, 1502, 1387, 1320, 1268; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): 15.32 (s, 1H, OH), 7.96–7.26 (m, 8H, Ph), 5.75 (s, 1H, benzyl-H), 2.27 (q, 4H, J = 7.3 Hz, CH2CH3), 2.20 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.01 (s, 2H, CH2), 2.00 (s, 2H, CH2), 1.06 (s, 6H, CH3), 0.64 (t, 6H, J = 7.3 Hz, CH2CH3);13C-NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 192.3, 156.1, 146.7, 139.3, 128.7, 128.7, 126, 121.7, 121.30, 103.6, 78.8, 42.1, 31.3, 12.6; LC/MS (ESI): 312.0 [M]+ for C22H20N2; Anal. for C27H36N3O3S; calcd C, 67.19; H, 7.52; N, 8.71; S, 6.64; Found: C, 67.20; H, 7.52; N, 8.73.

3-Hydroxy-2-((5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)(thiophen-2-yl)methyl)-5,5-dimethylcyclohex2-enone diethylaminium salt4o

4o was prepared according to the general procedure (GP1) from thiophenaldehyde yielding brown powdered materials. m.p: 87 °C; IR (KBr, cm−1): 3450, 3063, 2956, 2731, 2505, 1681, 1580, 1501, 1387, 1366, 1261; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ 15.32 (s, 1H, OH), 7.71–6.64 (m, 8H, Ph), 5.81 (s, 1H, benzyl-H), 2.47(q, 4H, J = 7.3 Hz, CH2CH3), 2.36 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.27(s, 2H, CH2), 2.23 (s, 2H, CH2), 1.12(s, 6H, CH3), 0.98(t, 6H, J = 7.3 Hz, CH2CH3); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 192.3, 156.1, 146.7, 139.3, 128.7, 128.7, 126, 121.7, 121.30, 103.6, 78.8, 42.1, 31.3, 12.6; LC/MS (ESI): 268.1 [M]+ for: C16H16N2S; Anal. for C27H36N3O3S; calcd C, 67.19; H, 7.52; N, 8.71; S, 6.64; Found: C, 67.20; H, 7.52; N, 8.73; S, 6.65.

Antibacterial activity studies

The antimicrobial studies were carried out according to reported methodology in the following literature reported by Barakat et al. [12, 13, 23] including initial screening and determination of MIC.

In-silico predictions

Pharmacophore modeling

A ligand-based pharmacophore model was developed by using MOE 2017 [24] suite. Where, a training set representing the most active lead analogs [12, 13] was selected, energy minimized and submitted to flexible alignment for analyzing the shared spatial arrangement of their pharmacophoric features. Generated hypotheses were ranked based on their accuracy scoring and atomic overlap. Among the highest ranked hypotheses, the best pharmacophore showing 100% accuracy was selected. This selected model was validated for its predictive efficacy by overlapping representative active analogs over it and calculating the RMSD (root mean square distance) between the query and mapped compounds.

Docking simulation

To predict the most suitable targets and inhibition mechanisms for the antibacterial and antifungal activities of the newly synthesized pyrazole-dimedone derivatives, reference compounds i.e. ciprofloxacin and fluconazole were submitted in Binding DB [25]. Binding DB works on the principle that similar compounds tend to have the same target proteins and seven proteins were chosen; four proteins i.e. Dihydrofolate Reductase (PDB ID 3FYV), Gyrase B (PDB ID 4URM), Thymidylate Kinase (TMK) (PDB ID 4QGG) and Sortase A (PDB ID 2MLM) from S. aureus for antibacterial (ciprofloxacin) and three proteins (Dihydrofolate Reductase (DHFR) (PDB ID 4HOF), Secreted Aspartic Protease (PDB ID 3Q70), and N-myristoyl transferase (PDB ID 1IYL) from C. Albicans for antifungal (fluconazole) compounds. The crystal structures of the seven target proteins were fetched from Protein Data Bank (www.rcsb.org/pdb) and all the proteins were prepared, charged, protonated and minimized via MOE 2016 suite. The chemical structures of synthesized compounds were built and saved in their 3D conformations by Builder tool incorporated in MOE 2016. Further protonation, minimization, charge application and atom-type corrections were also done by MOE 2016. Before docking, the efficiency of docking software was validated via redocking the crystallized ligand back into the pocket of significant antibacterial and antifungal target proteins. After redocking experiment (Additional file 1: Figures S1 and S2), we found MOE as the appropriate software to continue our in silico work with this software.

Additional file 1. Additional information.