Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel miconazole analogues containing selenium as potent antifungal agents

Herein, based on the theory of bioisosterism, a series of novel miconazole analogues containing selenium were designed, synthesized and their inhibitory effects on thirteen strains of pathogenic fungi were evaluated. It is especially encouraging that all the novel target compounds displayed significant antifungal activities against all tested strains. Furthermore, all the target compounds showed excellent inhibitory effects on fluconazole-resistant fungi. Subsequently, preliminary mechanistic studies indicated that the representative compound A03 had a strong inhibitory effect on C.alb. CYP51. Moreover, the target compounds could prevent the formation of fungi biofilms. Further hemolysis test verified that potential compounds had higher safety than miconazole. In addition, molecular docking study provided the interaction modes between the target compounds and C.alb. CYP51. These results strongly suggested that some target compounds are promising as novel antifungal drugs. [Display omitted] •All the novel target compounds displayed significant antifungal activities against thirteen tested strains.•Representative compound A03 had a strong inhibitory effect on C.alb. CYP51.•The target compounds could prevent the formation of fungi biofilms.•Hemolysis test verified that potential compounds had higher safety than miconazole.