Synthesis, in vitro biological evaluation and in silico molecular docking studies of novel β-lactam-anthraquinone hybrids.

•Synthesis of novel β-lactam-anthraquinone hybrids.•In vitro antibacterial (gram-negative, gram-positive and resistant strains) and antifungal activities.•6z showed excellent antibacterial activity.•6o exhibited antifungal activity better than standard.•Molecular docking was carried out for penicillin-binding protein 2a (PDB ID: 1VQQ).