We're thrilled to congratulate Samuel T. Attard and co-authors on the publication of a new paper in RSC Advances!
The article, Synthesis of nitric oxide releasing conjugated ortho-hindered nitroarenes and their application in dual-action antimicrobial peptide-mimics, reports a new class of nitric oxide–releasing antimicrobial peptide-mimics. By combining membrane disruption with controlled nitric oxide release, these compounds offer a dual-action strategy for combating bacterial infections.
Building from a previously established anthranilamide peptide-mimicking scaffold, the team rationally substituted aromatic capping groups for aromatic conjugated ortho-hindered nitroarenes (CONAs). The CONAs were accessed via a novel synthetic pathway that avoids highly toxic CrO3 and red fuming nitric acid, delivering the targets in fewer steps and good-to-excellent yields compared with earlier methods. One of the peptide-mimics formed a self-assembling low-molecular-weight hydrogel, characterised by rheology, atomic force microscopy, and circular dichroism. The compounds released NO upon exposure to 530 nm light, and antimicrobial activity was assessed by MIC assay — with one compound active against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus at 8 µg mL−1.
Publication details:
- Journal: RSC Advances (2026)
- Title: Synthesis of nitric oxide releasing conjugated ortho-hindered nitroarenes and their application in dual-action antimicrobial peptide-mimics
- Authors: Samuel T. Attard, Md Aquib, Hatu Gmedhin, Cyrille Boyer, Pall Thordarson, David StC Black, and Naresh Kumar
- DOI: 10.1039/D6RA04633A
Congratulations to Sam and all co-authors on this outstanding achievement! The Kumar Research Group is proud of this dual-action antimicrobial work and excited to see where the CONA platform leads next.