Synthesis of Oxygenated Chalcones with Anti-Staphylococcal Activity

Gram-positive bacteria are the most common cause of skin infection in hospitalized patients, with Staphylococcus aureus being the principal pathogen responsible for deaths. A series of poly-oxygenated chalcones was synthesized and assayed for anti-staphylococcal activity. Hydroxylated chalcones were more effective in the inhibition of microbial growth than methoxylated analogues. The compound 3’,5’,4-trihydroxychalcone is the most promising compound among those evaluated, showing a much broader antimicrobial spectrum than oxacillin and a MIC of 64 μg/ml to a multidrug- resistant hospital clinical strain of S. aureus.