Antibacterial properties of substituted phenethylamine-based β-lactam derivatives in oral infections

Abstract

Oral infections are a type of infection that occurs in and around the mouth, typically arising when proper oral hygiene is neglected. These infections manifest as symptoms such as mouth sores, dental caries, and periodontal diseases, with dental caries being the most common form. Streptococcus and Lactobacillus bacteria are the primary causative agents in dental caries. These bacteria act as opportunistic pathogens, potentially leading to serious diseases. Moreover, antibiotic resistance is developing in these pathogenic bacteria, limiting treatment options. β-lactam antibiotics are particularly important due to their broad spectrum and selective toxicity. In this study, novel phenethylamine-based β-lactam derivatives were synthesized, and their antibacterial activities against oral pathogens were investigated. The antibacterial activities of the compounds were determined using agar well diffusion and microdilution assays. The study observed that β-lactam derivatives formed inhibitory zones against the growth of oral pathogens, while imine compounds did not form such zones. The diameter of the inhibition zones for the β-lactam compounds ranged from 0.9 to 2.1 cm. The MIC values were calculated to be between 12.5 and 100 μM. These data suggest that β-lactam derivatives could be potent therapeutic agents for oral infections.

Keywords

• β-lactam
• Phenetylamine
• Oral pathogens
• Antibacterial activity