Synthesis, characterization and gene expression of novel bis-Schiff base compounds and study their anti-bacterial activity using different genes

• A one-step, one route synthesis seven novel Shiff compounds derived from benzidine subunit is reported. • The compounds were characterized through various techniques including 1 H, 13 C NMR, FTIR, HRMS, and M.P. • The benzidine-based compounds exhibited superior anti-bacterial activity against E. coli, outperforming common antibiotic such as Ciprofloxacin, Cefepime, and Imipenem. • qRT-PCR technique was employed to analyze the gene expression of the novel compounds. • Testing of the compounds on E. coli using oxyR1 and perR genes demonstrating significant downregulation. New Schiff compounds based on benzidine (Seven compounds, A–G , 80–90 %) are prepared from the condensation of seven aromatic aldehydes. These agents were characterized by 13 C, 1 H NMR, HRMS, FTIR, and M.P. The potency of these compounds was examined against Escherichia coli (E. coli). Compounds A–G show the optimal results by the bacterial growth inhibition, where MIC values were 8, 32, 16, 128, 2, 8 and 8 μg/mL respectively. The gene expression using qRT-PCR has been determined. The two genes of E. coli ( oxyR1 and perR ) expressed downregulated when treated with all compounds, specifically A and E . These genes are control for example biosynthesis of cell walls. Targeting these two genes plays a role to inhibiting the bacterial growth of E. coli.