Synthesis of Ursolic Acid-based Hybrids: In Vitro Antibacterial, Cytotoxicity Studies, In Silico Physicochemical and Pharmacokinetic Properties

Background: There is a critical need for the discovery of novel and effective antibacterial or anticancer molecules. Objectives: Amine-linked ursolic acid-based hybrid compounds were prepared in good yields in the range of 60-68%. Methods: Their molecular structures were successfully confirmed using different spectroscopic methods including¹H/¹³C NMR, UHPLC-HRMS and FTIR spectroscopy. The in vitro cytotoxicity of some of these hybrid molecules against three human tumour cells, such as MDA-MB23, MCF7, and HeLa was evaluated using the MTT colorimetric method. Result: Their antibacterial efficacy was evaluated against eleven bacterial pathogens using a serial dilution assay. Majority of the bacterial strains were inhibited significantly by compounds 17 and 24, with the lowest MIC values in the range of 15.3-31.25 µg/mL. Compound 16 exhibited higher cytotoxicity against HeLa cells than ursolic acid, with an IC₅₀ value of 43.64 g/mL. Conclusion: The in vitro antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity of these hybrid compounds demonstrated that ursolic acid-based hybrid molecules are promising compounds. Further research into ursolic acid-based hybrid compounds is required.