Mode of action and quantitative structure-activity correlations of tuberculostatic drugs of the isonicotinic acid hydrazide type.

Quantitative structure-activity studies have been performed for a series of 2-substituted isonicotinic acid hydrazides by correlating electronic, steric, and lipophilic properties of the substituents with the biological activity date (MIC) from serial dilution tests with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (strain H 37 Rv). The reaction rates for the quaternization of 2-substituted pyridines with methyl iodide were also determined. The rate constants show a similar dependence on the steric and electronic effects of the substituents as the antibacterial activities of the corresponding pyridine-4-carboxylic acid hydrazides. The obtained correlations give evidence that the reactivity of the pyridine nitrogen atom is essential for the biological activity of 2-substituted isonicotinic acid hydrazides and seem to support the hypothesis that isonicotinic acid derivatives are incorporated into an NAD analogue.