New 2-nitroimidazole-N-acylhydrazones, analogs of benznidazole, as anti-Trypanosoma cruzi agents

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Pitombeira, Marcelly C. S. R. ; Junior, Policarpo A. S. ; Murta, Silvane Maria Fonseca ; Romanha, Alvaro ; Luccas, Pedro H. ; Nonato, M. Cristina ; Rocha, Rafael E. O. ; Ferreira, Rafaela S. ; da Silveira, Flavia F. ; Castelo-Branco, Frederico S. ; Carvalho, Alcione S. ; Boechat, Nubia

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ARCHIV DER PHARMAZIE; v. 357, n. 7, p. 15-pg., 2024-04-16.

Abstract

Chagas disease is a neglected tropical parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. Worldwide, an estimated 8 million people are infected with T. cruzi, causing more than 10,000 deaths per year. Currently, only two drugs, nifurtimox and benznidazole (BNZ), are approved for its treatment. However, both are ineffective during the chronic phase, show toxicity, and produce serious side effects. This work aimed to obtain and evaluate novel 2-nitroimidazole-N-acylhydrazone derivatives analogous to BNZ. The design of these compounds used the two important pharmacophoric subunits of the BNZ prototype, the 2-nitroimidazole nucleus and the benzene ring, and the bioisosterism among the amide group of BNZ and N-acylhydrazone. The 27 compounds were obtained by a three-step route in 57%-98% yields. The biological results demonstrated the potential of this new class of compounds, since eight compounds were potent and selective in the in vitro assay against T. cruzi amastigotes and trypomastigotes using a drug-susceptible strain of T. cruzi (Tulahuen) (IC50 = 4.3-6.25 mu M) and proved to be highly selective with low cytotoxicity on L929 cells. The type I nitroreductase (TcNTR) assay suggests that the new compounds may act as substrates for this enzyme. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/26679-0 - 4-Quinolone derivatives as antimalarial drug candidates: Antiplasmodial activity characterization in vitro, in vivo and of the mode of action
• Grantee: Juliana Oliveira de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 13/07600-3 - CIBFar - Center for Innovation in Biodiversity and Drug Discovery
• Grantee: Glaucius Oliva
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC
• FAPESP's process: 16/26196-7 - Trypanosoma cruzi nitroreductase: search for new substrates and kinetic characterization
• Grantee: Pedro Henrique Luccas
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation