LM 427, a new spiropiperidylrifamycin: in vitro and in vivo studies.

The spiropiperidylrifamycin LM 427 (4-deoxo-3,4-[2-spiro-N-isobutyl-4-piperidyl]-(1H)-imidazo-(2,5-dihydro) rifamycin S) displays a broad spectrum of potent antibacterial activity in vitro. In vivo it is particularly effective in the therapy of experimental tubercular infections of mice. Three schedules of treatment were employed and the best results were obtained when intermittent administrations were used (ED50 of LM 427; 7 times lower than rifampicin).

Biological activity of a new class of rifamycins. Spiro-piperidyl-rifamycins.

The biological properties of spiro-piperidyl-rifamycins, a new class of rifamycin antibiotics, are described. In these derivatives the positions 3 and 4 have been incorporated into an imidazolyl ring bearing a spiro-piperidyl group N substituted with linear and branched aliphatic chains. The in vitro antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis increases with the number of the carbon atoms in the linera side chain, whereas the inhibitory effect on Escherichia coli is lowered.