Structure–activity relationships of 3-substituted-5,5- -diphenylhydantoins as potential antiproliferative and antimicrobial agents

A series of twelve 3-substituted-5,5-diphenylhydantoins was synthesized, including some whose anticonvulsant activities have already been reported in the literature. Their antiproliferative activities against HCT-116 human colon carcinoma cells were evaluated to determine structure–activity relationships. Almost all of the compounds exhibited statistically significant antiproliferative effects at a concentration of 100 μM, while the derivative bearing a benzyl group was active even at lower concentrations. Moreover, their in vitro antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and clinical isolates of Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus were evaluated. Only the 3-isopropyl and 3-benzyl derivatives showed weak antibacterial activities against the Gram-positive bacterium E. faecalis and the Gram-negative bacteria E. coli ATCC 25922 and E. coli.