Synthesis and in vitro antimycobacterial activity of 8-OCH3 ciprofloxacin methylene and ethylene isatin derivatives

► Most of the methylene derivatives were more active than the four references against MTB H37Rv. ► The most active compound 3b was 2-13 fold more potent than the references against MTB H37Rv. ► 3f, 3i-k were 1.6 fold more potent than the parent, 3.5 fold more than ciprofloxacin against MDR-MTB. ► The selectivity index (SI: 1182-1902) of 3i-k was more than the parent (1100) for MTB H37Rv. ► Methylene isatin derivatives were more potent than the ethylene analogs against MTB H37Rv.