Fluoroquinolone-isatin hybrids and their biological activities.

Hybridization of different pharmacophores from various bioactive substances into a single molecule is the potential weapon to prevent the drug resistance since this strategy can provide new leads with complimentary activities and/or multiple pharmacological targets. Fluoroquinolone and isatin are common pharmacophores, and their derivatives possess various biological activities. Obviously, hybridization of these two pharmacophores into one molecule may result in novel candidates with broader spectrum, higher efficiency, lower toxicity as well as multiple mechanisms of action. Therefore, fluoroquinolone-isatin hybrids have the potential for clinical deployment in the control and eradication of various diseases. This review covers the recent advances of fluoroquinolone-isatin hybrids as potential anti-bacterial, anti-tubercular, anti-viral and anti-cancer agents. The structure-activity relationship is also discussed to pave the way for the further rational development of this kind of hybrids.