Isoniazid–phytochemical conjugation: A new approach for potent and less toxic anti‐TB drug development

Abstract

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) causes one of the most grievous pandemics infectious disease, tuberculosis (TB), with long‐term morbidity and high mortality. The emergence of drug‐resistant Mtb strains, and the co‐infection with human immunodeficiency virus, challenges the current WHO‐TB stewardship programs. The first‐line anti‐TB drugs, isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF) have become extensively obsolete in TB control from chromosomal mutations during the last decades. However, based on clinical‐trial statistics, the production of well‐tolerated anti‐TB drug(s) is miserably low. Alternately, semi‐synthesis or structural modifications of first‐line obsolete antitubercular drugs remain as the versatile approach for getting some potential medicines. The use of any suitable phytochemical with INH in a hybrid formulation could be an ideal approach for the development of potent anti‐TB drug(s). The primary objective of this review is to highlight and analyze available on INH‐phytochemical hybrid research works as an alternative method. The utilization of phytochemicals through chemical conjugation is a new trend towards the development of safer/ non‐toxic anti‐TB drugs.