Quinonic derivatives active against a virulent strain of Toxoplasma gondii. Synthesis of 2-methylfuro[2,3-g]- and [3,2-g]isoquinolinetriones

Review of Experimental Compounds Demonstrating Anti-Toxoplasma Activity

Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous apicomplexan parasite capable of infecting humans and other animals. Current treatment options for T. gondii infection are limited and most have drawbacks, including high toxicity and low tolerability. Additionally, no FDA-approved treatments are available for pregnant women, a high-risk population due to transplacental infection. Therefore, the development of novel treatment options is needed. To aid this effort, this review highlights experimental compounds that, at a minimum, demonstrate inhibition of in vitro growth of T. gondii When available, host cell toxicity and in vivo data are also discussed. The purpose of this review is to facilitate additional development of anti-Toxoplasma compounds and potentially to extend our knowledge of the parasite.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel heterocyclic quinones as inhibitors of the dual specificity protein phosphatase CDC25C

A focused set of heterocyclic quinones based on the benzothiazole, benzoxazole, benzimidazole, indazole and isoindole was prepared and screened with respect to the inhibition of the phosphatase activity of CDC25C. Benzoxazole- and benzothiazole-diones were at least 50 times more potent in inhibiting CDC25C than their benzimidazole-indazole- or isoindole-dione counterparts. These in vitro activities were in good correlation with the anti-proliferative effects observed with Mia PaCa-2 and DU-145 human tumor cell cultures. The IC(50) values obtained by WST-1 colorimetric assay ranged from 0.10 to 0.50 microM for the benzoxazole- or benzothiazole-diones and were above 10 microM for the other heterocyclic diones. This study further illustrates how the activity of the quinone pharmacophore can be selectively modulated by changing the type of five-membered heterocycle fused to the quinone ring.

Synthesis and antiprotozoal activity of naphthofuranquinones and naphthothiophenequinones containing a fused thiazole ring

The synthesis of tetracyclic quinones 10a,b, 14a,b, 19a,b and 20a,b is described. The preparations involve regioselective Diels-Alder reactions via trapping the thiazole o-quinodimethane 9 with several benzofuranquinones and benzothiophenequinones. The structure of the regioisomers was assigned through 2D NMR 1H-13C HMBC experiments performed on 10a and 14a. Compounds 10a,b, 14a as well as phenol 1 and the starting quinones 2, 5, 7 and 15 are evaluated against Leishmania sp., Toxoplasma gondii and THP-1 cells. Almost all the tested compounds exhibit significant antiprotozoal activities with lower cytotoxicities than the reference compounds. Among them, quinones 2 and 14a possess the best activities towards L. donovani and T. gondii with the lowest toxicities.

Benzimidazole-4,7-diones as inhibitors of protozoal (Toxoplasma gondii) purine nucleoside phosphorylase

Benzimidazole-4,7-diones derivatives substituted at 1- and/or 2-position have been synthetized and tested as inhibitors of purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), isolated from two strains of Toxoplasma gondii (RH and ME 49). They were identified as inhibitors of both enzymes.

Monitor: molecules and profiles

Monitor provides an insight into the latest developments in drug discovery through brief synopses of recent presentations and publications together with expert commentaries on the latest technologies. There are two sections: Molecules summarizes the chemistry and the pharmacological significance and biological relevance of new molecules reported in the literature and on the conference scene; Profiles offers commentary on promising lines of research, emerging molecular targets, novel technology, advances in synthetic and separation techniques and legislative issues.