Isatin – a potent anti-microbial agent

From many years in hospitalized and ambulatory patients, it is observed that increased antibiotic resistance in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. For global health, a significant threat was found to be quick development of resistance by various microorganisms against anti-microbial drugs. In addition, multidrug-resistant organisms also developing rapidly which further complicated the situation. Hence it is necessary to develop and find out novel anti-microbial agent urgently. In the field of organic chemistry important role was played by heterocyclic compounds. They are acquiring more importance in recent years due to their extensive pharmacological properties and wide applications in the field of chemistry. Out of many available heterocyclic compounds, isatin and various isatin analogues were found to be significant due to its broad range of biological activities. Isatin has emerged as anti-microbial agents due to its wide range of anti-microbial potency displayed in both in-vivo and in-vitro method. In this review, various anti-microbial isatins were summarised & reported. In addition, this review highlights the anti-microbial potency of isatin to the medicinal world.