Design, synthesis and antitrypanosomal activities of 2,6-disubstituted-4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiophenes

Novel 4-[4-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)phenyl]-6-arylpyrimidine derivatives and their antitrypanosomal activities against T.brucei

Human African trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness, is a neglected tropical disease caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and is invariably fatal unless treated. Current therapies present limitations in their application, parasite resistance, or require further clinical investigation for wider use. Our work, informed by previous findings, presents novel 4-[4-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)phenyl]-6-arylpyrimidine derivatives with promising antitrypanosomal activity. In particular, 32 exhibits an in vitro EC50 value of 0.5 µM against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, and analogues 29, 30 and 33 show antitrypanosomal activities in the <1 µM range. We have demonstrated that substituted 4-[4-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)phenyl]-6-arylpyrimidines present promising antitrypanosomal hit molecules with potential for further preclinical development.

Small molecules containing chalcogen elements (S, Se, Te) as new warhead to fight neglected tropical diseases

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) encompass a group of infectious diseases with a protozoan etiology, high incidence, and prevalence in developing countries. As a result, economic factors constitute one of the main obstacles to their management. Endemic countries have high levels of poverty, deprivation and marginalization which affect patients and limit their access to proper medical care. As a matter of fact, statistics remain uncollected in some affected areas due to non-reporting cases. World Health Organization and other organizations proposed a plan for the eradication and control of the vector, although many of these plans were halted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite of the available drugs to treat these pathologies, it exists a lack of effectiveness against several parasite strains. Treatment protocols for diseases such as American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease), leishmaniasis, and human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) have not achieved the desired results. Unfortunately, these drugs present limitations such as side effects, toxicity, teratogenicity, renal, and hepatic impairment, as well as high costs that have hindered the control and eradication of these diseases. This review focuses on the analysis of a collection of scientific shreds of evidence with the aim of identifying novel chalcogen-derived molecules with biological activity against Chagas disease, leishmaniasis and HAT. Compounds illustrated in each figure share the distinction of containing at least one chalcogen element. Sulfur (S), selenium (Se), and tellurium (Te) have been grouped and analyzed in accordance with their design strategy, chemical synthesis process and biological activity. After an exhaustive revision of the related literature on S, Se, and Te compounds, 183 compounds presenting excellent biological performance were gathered against the different causative agents of CD, leishmaniasis and HAT.

Synthesis and evaluation of tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense

Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) is a neglected tropical disease caused by the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma brucei (T. b.), and affects communities in sub-Saharan Africa. Previously, analogues of a tetrahydroisoquinoline scaffold were reported as having in vitro activity (IC₅₀ = 0.25-70.5 μM) against T. b. rhodesiense. In this study the synthesis and antitrypanosomal activity of 80 compounds based around a core tetrahydroisoquinoline scaffold are reported. A detailed structure activity relationship was revealed, and five derivatives (two of which have been previously reported) with inhibition of T. b. rhodesiense growth in the sub-micromolar range were identified. Four of these (3c, 12b, 17b and 26a) were also found to have good selectivity over mammalian cells (SI > 50). Calculated logD values and preliminary ADME studies predict that these compounds are likely to have good absorption and metabolic stability, with the ability to passively permeate the blood brain barrier. This makes them excellent leads for a blood-brain barrier permeable antitrypanosomal scaffold.

The discovery of novel antitrypanosomal 4-phenyl-6-(pyridin-3-yl)pyrimidines

Human African trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness, is a neglected tropical disease caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Trypanosoma brucei gambiense which seriously affects human health in Africa. Current therapies present limitations in their application, parasite resistance, or require further clinical investigation for wider use. Our work herein describes the design and syntheses of novel antitrypanosomal 4-phenyl-6-(pyridin-3-yl)pyrimidines, with compound 13, the 4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-6-(pyridine-3-yl)pyrimidin-2-amine demonstrating an IC₅₀ value of 0.38 μM and a promising off-target ADME-Tox profile in vitro. In silico molecular target investigations showed rhodesain to be a putative candidate, supported by STD and WaterLOGSY NMR experiments, however, in vitro evaluation of compound 13 against rhodesain exhibited low experimental inhibition. Therefore, our reported library of drug-like pyrimidines present promising scaffolds for further antikinetoplastid drug development for both phenotypic and target-based drug discovery.

Recent Advances in the Discovery of Novel Antiprotozoal Agents

Parasitic diseases have serious health, social, and economic impacts, especially in the tropical regions of the world. Diseases caused by protozoan parasites are responsible for considerable mortality and morbidity, affecting more than 500 million people worldwide. Globally, the burden of protozoan diseases is increasing and is been exacerbated because of a lack of effective medication due to the drug resistance and toxicity of current antiprotozoal agents. These limitations have prompted many researchers to search for new drugs against protozoan parasites. In this review, we have compiled the latest information (2012-2017) on the structures and pharmacological activities of newly developed organic compounds against five major protozoan diseases, giardiasis, leishmaniasis, malaria, trichomoniasis, and trypanosomiasis, with the aim of showing recent advances in the discovery of new antiprotozoal drugs.

Antiprotozoal Activities of Tetrazole-quinolines with Aminopiperidine Linker

BACKGROUND

Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT, sleeping sickness) and Malaria both are insect vectored tropical diseases. Only a couple of drugs is able to cure HAT, but all of them are toxic, prone to resistance and require parenteral administration. Malaria is responsible for high morbidity and mortality in humans. It is one of the global killers of children. Wide-spread drug resistance against traditional therapeutics which were once highly effective makes them almost useless. Therefore new drugs against both diseases are urgently needed.

OBJECTIVE

Recently, we reported the synthesis and antiprotozoal activities of a number of new 2- substituted 4-carbamoyl- and 4-aminoquinolines. This study focussed on the synthesis of novel tetrazole derivatives which are linked to the quinoline core via a piperidine ring.

METHODS

Novel compounds exhibiting a 7-chloroquinoline and a tetrazole ring were prepared via Ugi-azide reaction. Modifications were restricted to the orientation and the substitution of the linker. Compounds were tested for their activities against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (STIB 900). Their antiplasmodial activities were determined against a sensitive (NF54) and a multiresistant strain (K1) of Plasmodium falciparum.

RESULTS

Eighteen tetrazole derivatives were prepared. The results of the biological tests were compared with the activities of drugs in use and structure-activity relationships were discussed. Their antitrypanosomal activities were only moderate. In contrast some of the compounds showed promising activity against both strains of Plasmodium falciparum and good to excellent resistance indices.

CONCLUSION

The antiplasmodial activities depended on the orientation of the 4-aminopiperidine linker. Compounds with a tertiary amino group in position 4 of the quinoline ring exhibited equal activity against both strains, whereas those with a secondary amino group were mainly active against the sensitive strain.

Copper-catalyzed synthesis of 2-acylbenzo[b]thiophenes from 3-(2-iodophenyl)-1-arylpropan-1-ones and potassium sulfide under aerobic conditions

A method was developed for the synthesis of 2-acylbenzo[b]thiophenes via a copper-catalyzed sulfuration of 3-(2-iodophenyl)-1-arylpropan-1-ones with K2S under aerobic conditions. Mechanistically, this procedure was proved to involve the formation of a dihydrobenzo[b]thiophene intermediate.

Antiprotozoal activity of bicycles featuring a dimethylamino group at their bridgehead

Several dimethylamino-derivatives of the new compound-class 3-azabicyclo[3.2.2]nonanes were prepared. For better comparison of activity also a few analogues of bicyclo[2.2.2]octanes and 2-azabicyclo[3.2.2]nonanes were synthesized. Their activities were examined in vitro against the multiresistant K1 strain of Plasmodium falciparum and against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (STIB 900). A couple of the newly synthesized compounds showed promising antiprotozoal activity and selectivity. The results of the biological tests of the novel compounds were compared with the activities of already synthesized compounds and of drugs in use. Structure-activity relationships were discussed.