Synthesis and Characterization of Ester Derivatives of N-Phenylanthranilic Acid

N-Phenylanthranilic acid (fenamic acid) serves as the fundamental structure for synthesizing several non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibacterial drugs and also functions as a modulator of membrane transport. To reduce the dose-related side effects of existing drugs, research is focussing to improve fenamic acid derivative solubility and bioavailability. A series of ester derivatives of N-phenylanthranilic acid (MB-1 to MB-5) viz. 2-(phenyl amino)methyl benzoate, 2-(phenyl amino)ethyl benzoate, 2-(phenyl amino)isopropyl benzoate,2-(phenyl amino)butyl benzoate and 2-(phenyl amino)phenyl benzoate were synthesized. The chemical structures and functional groups of these derivatives were confirmed using elemental analysis and spectral data. Furthermore, the derived compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) strains using the agar-well diffusion method followed by molecular docking studies to predict binding interactions of the synthesized compounds with DNA gyrase.