Synthesis And Pharmacological Evaluation Of Novel Imidazole Derivatives As Antifungal Agents

Abstract

The emergence of resistance among pathogenic fungi has necessitated the development of novel antifungal agents. Imidazole derivatives, known for their broad-spectrum antifungal activity, are attractive candidates due to their ability to inhibit fungal cytochrome P450 enzymes, interfering with ergosterol biosynthesis. In this study, a series of novel imidazole derivatives were synthesized through conventional and microwave-assisted synthetic routes. The chemical structures of the compounds were confirmed using spectroscopic techniques such as FTIR, NMR, and mass spectrometry. The synthesized derivatives were evaluated for in vitro antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, and Cryptococcus neoformans using the agar diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination. Several compounds exhibited significant antifungal activity, with MIC values comparable to or better than standard drugs like fluconazole. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis suggested that substitutions at specific positions on the imidazole ring enhanced antifungal efficacy. These findings support further development of imidazole-based compounds as potent antifungal therapeutics.