Beta Lactamase (β-Lactamase, βL), (EC 3.5.2.6), is a bacterial enzyme that hydrolyzes the β-Lactam ring, a four-carbon ring, the building block of β-Lactam antibiotics. β-Lactams inhibit transpeptidases, enzymes that participate in the biosynthesis of bacterial cell walls. Penams, Carbapenems, Cephems, Clavams, Oxacephems and Monobactams have been widely used for the treatment of bacterial infections since the discovery of penicillin, the first β-Lactam antibiotic, and its bactericidal effect more than eighty years ago. However, an alarming number of cases of β-Lactam antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains have been reported. The resistance is due to the production of β-Lactamase, responsible for diminishing the β-Lactam antibiotic potency. Inhibition of β-Lactamase activity has therefore become an urgent target in the treatment of bacterial infections displaying β-Lactam resistance. Several β-Lactam derivatives have been reported as β-Lactamase inhibitors; however,only clavulanic acid, sulbactam and tazobactam have reached clinical importance.

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