Synthesis and Leishmanicide evaluation of new 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives

• Grant number: 23/05599-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2023
• End date: June 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Fernando Antonio Santos Coelho
• Grantee: Ana Luisa Fracaro de Almeida
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Leishmaniasis is an anthropozoan caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania and which mainly affects inhabitants of tropical and subtropical countries who live in vulnerable conditions. Currently, it is among the twenty pathologies classified as Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) by the World Health Organization (WHO), being considered a public health problem because it is potentially fatal and has a high worldwide incidence. The WHO estimate is that there are between 700,000 and 1 million new cases of this pathology per year. The most recent data from the entity indicate that leishmaniasis is endemic in Brazil, with the country being one of the countries that registered the highest number of cases of tegumentary leishmaniasis and visceral leishmaniasis in 2021. According to the Ministry of Health, Brazil has registered 15,023 cases of leishmaniasis cutaneous and 1,683 cases of visceral leishmaniasis in 2021. This scenario requires the development of new drug alternatives for the treatment of this disease. This scientific initiation project aims to develop new candidates for 1,2,4-isoxazole derivatives, based on previous experiences in our research laboratory. Variations in the positions of a cyano group will be evaluated, as well as the influence of a methoxyl group on biological activity.