Metronidazole-flavonoid derivatives as anti-Helicobacter pylori agents with potent inhibitory activity against HPE-induced interleukin-8 production by AGS cells

Three series of metronidazole-flavonoid derivatives were generated and evaluated for antimicrobial activity against H. pylori. Among these compounds, high anti-H. pylori activities were observed in isoflavones derivatives 4-7, 19, and 20 but exhibited no inhibitory activity against other sorts of bacteria and fungi, for example, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescence, and Aspergillus niger. Genistein derivative 6 with the potent activity (MIC=0.39 microg mL(-1)) was >50-fold more than metronidazole, and comparable to the positive control amoxicillin. Additionally, compound 6 can significantly attenuate the increase in interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels in the AGS cells stimulated by H. pylori water extract (HPE) at concentrations of 15, 30, and 60 micromol L(-1), which did not show any effects on the cell viability.