Developing novel indoles as antitubercular agents and simulated annealing-based analysis of their binding with MmpL3

This research aimed to develop novel indole-2-carboxamides as potential antitubercular agents using rational drug design. It also focused on identifying the critical interactions required for these compounds to exhibit effective antitubercular activity. Novel indole-2-carboxamides targeting MmpL3 were designed based on SAR, synthesized, and tested for their antitubercular and <i>iniBAC</i> induction properties. Classical docking and simulated annealing were utilized to understand protein–ligand binding affinity. Compounds 5c, 5f, and 5i, were active against H37Rv and different MDR and XDR strains of <i>M. tuberculosis. iniBAC</i> promoter induction study indicated that those were inhibitors of MmpL3. Through the docking and simulated annealing studies, we identified key protein–ligand interactions at the MmpL3 binding site. We have identified three potent antitubercular molecules that supposedly act via inhibiting MmpL3. Results from the molecular modeling studies can be used in future drug designing.