8-Quinolinamines conjugated with amino acids are exhibiting potent blood-schizontocidal antimalarial activities

Alanine, lysine, ornithine and valine conjugated to primaquine and other 8-quinolinamine antimalarials were prepared for blood-schizontocidal antimalarial activity evaluation. The analogues were examined in vivo against Plasmodium berghei (drug-sensitive strain) and Plasmodium yoelii nigeriensis (highly virulent multi-drug-resistant strain) infected mice models. N(1)-[4-(5-Butoxy-4-ethyl-6-methoxy-8-quinolylamino)pentyl]-(2S)-2,6-diaminohexanamide (20) which showed curative activity at 5mg/kg in the P. berghei test emerged as the most effective compound. N(1)-[4-(4-Ethyl-5-hexoxy-6-methoxy-8-quinolylamino)pentyl]-(2S)-2,6-diaminohexanamide (22) exhibited curative activity at 50mg/kg against P. yoelii nigeriensis in mice and emerged as the most potent analogue against multi-drug resistant strain. The results of this study represent development of highly potent 8-quinolinamines for antimalarial drug development.     

Synthesis, antimalarial, antileishmanial, and antimicrobial activities of some 8-quinolinamine analogues

In the present communication, newly synthesized 8-quinolinamines (25-27) related to previously reported 2-tert-butylprimaquine (2) were evaluated for their in vitro antimalarial activity against chloroquine sensitive and resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains, in vivo antimalarial activity against P. berghei infected mice, in vitro antileishmanial activity against Leishmania donovani, in vitro antimicrobial activity against various fungi and bacteria, and cytotoxicity in a panel of mammalian cell lines. No promising cytotoxicities were observed for compounds reported herein. Analogue 25 was found to exhibit curative antimalarial activity at a dose of 25 mg/kg/dayx4 in a P. berghei infected mice model, and produced suppressive activity at a lower dose of 10 mg/kg/dayx4. In vitro antileishmanial activities (IC50 and IC90) comparable to standard drug pentamidine were exhibited by all synthesized 8-quinolinamines 25-27. At the same time, promising antibacterial and antifungal activities were also observed for synthesized compounds against a panel consisting of several bacteria and fungi.     

Synthesis of isoquinuclidine analogs of chloroquine: antimalarial and antileishmanial activity

The isoquinuclidine (2-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octane) ring system may be viewed as a semi-rigid boat form of the piperidine ring and, when properly substituted, a scaffold for rigid analogs of biologically active ethanolamines and propanolamines. It is present in natural products (such as ibogaine and dioscorine) that display interesting pharmacological properties. In this study, we have expanded our continuing efforts to incorporate this ring system in numerous pharmacophores, by designing and synthesizing semirigid analogs of the antimalarial drug chloroquine. The analogs were tested in vitro against Plasmodium falciparum strains and Leishmania donovani promastigote cultures. Compounds 6 and 13 displayed potent antimalarial activity against both chloroquine-susceptible D6 and the -resistant W2 strains of P. falciparum. All analogs also demonstrated significant antileishmanial activity with compounds 6 and 13 again being the most potent. The fact that these compounds are active against both chloroquine-resistant and chloroquine-sensitive strains as well as leishmanial cells makes them promising candidates for drug development.     

S-Euglobals: biomimetic synthesis, antileishmanial, antimalarial, and antimicrobial activities

Several new euglobal analogues (named as S-euglobals) were synthesized from phloroglucinol via a biomimetic three-component reaction involving Knoevenagel condensation followed by [4+2]-Diels-Alder cycloaddition with monoterpene. Newly synthesized euglobal analogues involve monoterpenes that have not yet been encountered in natural euglobals. S-Euglobals along with previously synthesized robustadial A and B were evaluated for in vitro antileishmanial, antimalarial, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities. Out of 16, nine analogues were found to exhibit antileishmanial activity against Leishmania donovani promastigotes. Analogue 7 was the most potent with IC(50) of 2.4 microg/mL and IC(90) of 8 microg/mL, followed by analogues 8 and 11 (IC(50) 5.5 and 9.5 microg/mL). Antileishmanial activity of robustadial A (5) and B (6) was moderate with IC(50) of 20 and 16 microg/mL, respectively. Robustadial A and B and S-euglobal 8 exhibited weak antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum (IC(50) of 2.7-4.76 microg/mL). Few of the euglobal analogues showed antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Amongst these, analogue 11 was the most potent with IC(50) of 1.0 microg/mL and MIC of 5.0 microg/mL. Most of the compounds were not cytotoxic up to 25 microg/mL in a panel of cell lines consisting of both cancer (SK-MEL, KB, BT-549, and SK-OV-3) as well as non-cancer kidney (Vero and LLC-PK11) cells.     

8-quinolinamines and their pro prodrug conjugates as potent blood-schizontocidal antimalarial agents

Synthesis and antimalarial activities of N8-(4-amino-1-methylbutyl)-5-alkoxy-4-ethyl-6-methoxy-8-quinolinamines (5) and their pro prodrug analogues (6-7) prepared by covalently linking 5 to the redox-sensitive (8) and esterase-sensitive (9) linkers through the amide linkage are reported. The most effective 8-quinolinamines [5c (R=C5H11) and 5f (R=C8H17)] have exhibited in vitro and in vivo biological efficacy superior to that of the standard drug chloroquine against both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant malaria strains. Analogues 6-7 were evaluated for in vivo blood-schizontocidal activity as potential pro prodrug models for the primary amino group containing 8-quinolinamines (5). The most effective pro prodrug analogue (6c) has displayed promising activities against drug-sensitive and drug-resistant strains of Plasmodia in vivo.     

Antiprotozoal and cytotoxic naphthalene derivatives from Diospyros assimilis

Chemical investigation of the roots of Diospyros assimilis had led to the isolation and characterization of six naphthalene derivatives, two 2-naphthaldehyes, namely 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy-2-naphthaldehyde 1, 4-hydroxy-5-methoxy-2-naphthaldehye 2, its related isomer 5-hydroxy-4-methoxy-2-naphthaldehyde 3 and three commonly occurring naphthoquinones, diospyrin 4, 8'-hydroxyisodiospyrin 5 and the simple monomer, plumbagin 6. Their chemical structures were established by detailed NMR investigations including 1H and 13C NMR, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY experiments. In addition, the naphthalene derivatives 1-5 were evaluated for their in vitro antiprotozoal activity against protozoan parasites belonging to the genera Trypanosoma, Leishmania and Plasmodium. Among the tested compounds, naphthaldehyde 1 showed moderate inhibition of the growth of the parasites, T. brucei, T. cruzi, L. donovani with IC50 values of 19.82, 12.28 and 38.78 microM and displayed cytotoxicity towards rat skeletal myoblasts (L-6 cells) with IC50 of 174.94 microM, while 2 and 3 were found to be comparatively less active to 1. The dimeric quinones 4 and 5 exhibited good activity against T. brucei and L. donovani with IC50 of 1.12 and 8.82 microM and 12.94 and 16.66 microM respectively.     

Synthesis and antimalarial evaluation of novel isocryptolepine derivatives

A series of mono- and di-substituted analogues of isocryptolepine have been synthesized and evaluated for in vitro antimalarial activity against chloroquine sensitive (3D7) and resistant (W2mef) Plasmodium falciparum and for cytotoxicity (3T3 cells). Di-halogenated compounds were the most potent derivatives and 8-bromo-2-chloroisocryptolepine displayed the highest selectivity index (106; the ratio of cytotoxicity (IC(50)=9005 nM) to antimalarial activity (IC(50)=85 nM)). Our evaluation of novel isocryptolepine compounds has demonstrated that di-halogenated derivatives are promising antimalarial lead compounds.     

Structure–activity relationship studies of manzamine A: Amidation of positions 6 and 8 of the β-carboline moiety

Twenty manzamine amides were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro antimalarial and antimicrobial activities. The amides of manzamine A (1) showed significantly reduced cytotoxicity against Vero cells, although were less active than 1. The structure–activity analysis showed that linear, short alkyl groups adjacent to the amide carbonyl at position 8 are favored for antimalarial activity, while bulky and cyclic groups at position 6 provided the most active amides. Most of the amides showed potent activity against Mycobacterium intracellulare. The antimicrobial activity profile for position 8 series was similar to that for antimalarial activity profile, in which linear, slightly short alkyl groups adjacent to the amide carbonyl showed improved activity. Two amides 14 and 21, which showed potent antimalarial activity in vitro against Plasmodium falciparum were further evaluated in vivo in Plasmodium berghei infected mice. Oral administration of 14 and 21 at the dose of 30 mg/kg (once daily for three days) caused parasitemia suppression of 24% and 62%, respectively, with no apparent toxicity.     

Antileishmanial, antimalarial and antimicrobial activities of the extract and isolated compounds from Austroplenckia populnea (Celastraceae)

Austroplenckia populnea (Celastraceae), known as "marmelinho do campo", is used in Brazilian folk medicine as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antitumoural agent. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the antimicrobial, antileishmanial and antimalarial activities of the crude hydroalcoholic extract of A. populnea (CHE) and some of its isolated compounds. The phytochemical study of the CHE was carried out affording the isolation of methyl populnoate (1), populnoic acid (2), and stigmast-5-en-3-O-beta-(D-glucopyranoside) (3). This is the first time that the presence of compound 3 in A. populnea is reported. The results showed that the CHE presents antifungal and antibacterial activities, especially against Candida glabrata and Candida albicans, for which the CHE showed IC50 values of 0.7 microg mL(-1) and 5.5 microg mL(-1), respectively, while amphotericin B showed an IC50 value of 0.1 microg mL(-1) against both microorganisms. Compounds 1-3 were inactive against all tested microorganisms. In the antileishmanial activity test against Leishmania donovani, the CHE showed an IC50 value of 52 microg mL(-1), while compounds 2 and 3 displayed an IC50 value of 18 microg mL(-1) In the antimalarial assay against Plasmodium falciparum (D6 and W2 clones), it was observed that all evaluated samples were inactive. In order to compare the effect on the parasites with the toxicity to mammalian cells, the cytotoxicity activity of the isolated compounds was evaluated against Vero cells, showing that all evaluated samples exhibited no cytotoxicity at the maximum dose tested.     

In vivo active antimalarial isonitriles

Building on the lead from antimalarial isonitriles 1-4 of marine origin, several easily accessible synthetic isonitriles were assessed for their antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum (in vitro) and multidrug resistant Plasmodium yoelii in Swiss mice model (in vivo). Isonitrile 11 has shown promising activity in both these assays.     

Antimalarial activity of 4-(5-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-chloroquine analogues

The antimalarial activity of chloroquine-pyrazole analogues, synthesized from the reaction of 1,1,1-trifluoro-4-methoxy-3-alken-2-ones with 4-hydrazino-7-chloroquinoline, has been evaluated in vitro against a chloroquine resistant Plasmodium falciparum clone. Parasite growth in the presence of the test drugs was measured by incorporation of [(3)H]hypoxanthine in comparison to controls with no drugs. All but one of the eight (4,5-dihydropyrazol-1-yl) chloroquine 2 derivatives tested showed a significant activity in vitro, thus, are a promising new class of antimalarials. The three most active ones were also tested in vivo against Plasmodium berghei in mice. However, the (pyrazol-1-yl) chloroquine 3 derivatives were mostly inactive, suggesting that the aromatic functionality of the pyrazole ring was critical.     

Synthesis, antiprotozoal, antimicrobial, β-hematin inhibition, cytotoxicity and methemoglobin (MetHb) formation activities of bis(8-aminoquinolines)

In continuing our search of potent antimalarials based on 8-aminoquinoline structural framework, three series of novel bis(8-aminoquinolines) using convenient one to four steps synthetic procedures were synthesized. The bisquinolines were evaluated for in vitro antimalarial (Plasmodiumfalciparum), antileishmanial (Leishmaniadonovani), antimicrobial (a panel of pathogenic bacteria and fungi), cytotoxicity, ??-hematin inhibitory and methemoglobin (MetHb) formation activities. Several compounds exhibited superior antimalarial activities compared to parent drug primaquine. Selected compounds (44, 61 and 79) when tested for in vivo blood-schizontocidal antimalarial activity (Plasmodiumberghei) displayed potent blood-schizontocial activities. The bisquinolines showed negligible MetHb formation (0.2-1.2%) underlining their potential in the treatment of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient patients. The bisquinoline analogues (36, 73 and 79) also exhibited promising in vitro antileishmanial activity, and antimicrobial activities (43, 44 and 76) against a panel of pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The results of this study provide evidence that bis(8-aminoquinolines), like their bis(4-aminoquinolines) and artemisinin dimers counterparts, are a promising class of antimalarial agents.     

Antimalarial acridines: Synthesis,in vitro activity against P. falciparum and interaction with hematin

A series of acridine derivatives were synthesised and their in vitro antimalarial activity was evaluated against one chloroquine-susceptible strain (3D7) and three chloroquine-resistant strains (W2, Bre1 and FCR3) of Plasmodium falciparum. Structure–activity relationship showed that two positives charges as well as 6-chloro and 2-methoxy substituents on the acridine ring were required to exert a good antimalarial activity. The best compounds possessing these features inhibited the growth of the chloroquine-susceptible strain with an IC₅₀ ? 0.07 μM, close to that of chloroquine itself, and that of the three chloroquine-resistant strains better than chloroquine with IC₅₀ ? 0.3 μM. These acridine derivatives inhibited the formation of β-hematin, suggesting that, like CQ, they act on the haem crystallization process. Finally, in vitro cytotoxicity was also evaluated upon human KB cells, which showed that one of them 9-(6-ammonioethylamino)-6-chloro-2-methoxyacridinium dichloride 1 displayed a promising antimalarial activity in vitro with a quite good selectivity index versus mammalian cell on the CQ-susceptible strain and promising selectivity on other strains.     

2-(2-Furanyl)-7-phenyl[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidin-5-amine analogs: highly potent, orally active, adenosine A2A antagonists. Part 1

The structure-activity relationship of this novel class of compounds based on 2-(2-furanyl)-7-phenyl[1,2,4]-triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidin-5-amine, 1, and its analogs was evaluated for their in vitro and in vivo adenosine A(2A) receptor antagonism. Several compounds displayed oral activity at 3 mg/kg in a rat catalepsy model. Specifically, compound 8g displayed an excellent in vitro profile, as well as a highly promising in vivo profile.     

Novel oxazine skeletons as potential antiplasmodial active ingredients: Synthesis, in vitro and in vivo biology of some oxazine entities produced via cyclization of novel chalcone intermediates

A novel series of 6-(2-chloroquinolin-3-yl)-4-substituted-phenyl-6H-1,3-oxazin-2-amines were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro antimalarial efficacy against chloroquine sensitive (MRC-02) as well as chloroquine resistant (RKL9) strains of Plasmodium falciparum. The activity tested was at nanomolar concentration. β-Hematin formation inhibition activity (BHIA(50)) of oxazines were determined and correlated with antimalarial activity. A reasonably good correlation (r?=?0.49 and 0.51, respectively) was observed between antimalarial activity (IC(50)) and BHIA(50). This suggests that antimalarial mode of action of these compounds seems to be similar to that of chloroquine and involves the inhibition of hemozoin formation. Some of the compounds were showing better antimalarial activity than chloroquine against resistant strain of P. falciparum and were also found to be active in the in vivo experiment.     

Antimalarial t-butylperoxyamines

Twelve t-butylperoxyamines (6-17) were synthesized as targeted antimalarials and evaluated for antimalarial activity in vivo against Plasmodium berghei in mice and in vitro against both chloroquine sensitive and chloroquine resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Compound 8 was found to have highest potency with activity at 80 and 160mg/kg dose in vivo and compound 11 exhibited highest efficacy in vitro.     

Aryl aryl methyl thio arenes prevent multidrug-resistant malaria in mouse by promoting oxidative stress in parasites

We have synthesized a new series of aryl aryl methyl thio arenes (AAMTAs) and evaluated antimalarial activity in vitro and in vivo against drug-resistant malaria. These compounds interact with free heme, inhibit hemozoin formation, and prevent Plasmodium falciparum growth in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner. These compounds concentration dependently promote oxidative stress in Plasmodium falciparum as evident from the generation of intraparasitic oxidants, protein carbonyls, and lipid peroxidation products. Furthermore, AAMTAs deplete intraparasite GSH levels, which is essential for antioxidant defense and survival during intraerythrocytic stages. These compounds displayed potent antimalarial activity not only in vitro but also in vivo against multidrug-resistant Plasmodium yoelii dose dependently in a mouse model. The mixtures of enantiomers of AAMTAs containing 3-pyridyl rings were found to be more efficient in providing antimalarial activity. Efforts have been made to synthesize achiral AAMTAs 17-23 and among them, compound 18 showed significant antimalarial activity in vivo.     

A small library of trisubstituted pyrimidines as antimalarial and antitubercular agents

A small library of 20 trisubstituted pyrimidines were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antimalarial and antitubercular activities. Out of the total screened compounds, 16 compounds have shown in vitro antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum in the range of 0.25-2microg/mL and 8 compounds have shown antitubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H(37)Ra, at a concentration of 12.5microg/mL.     

Plasmodium berghei: in vitro and in vivo activity of dequalinium

Bisquinoline compounds have exhibited remarkable activity in vitro and in vivo against Plasmodium parasites by inhibition of heme detoxification. We have tested the ability of dequalinium 1,1'-(1,10-decanediyl)bis(4-amino-2-methylquinoline), a known antimicrobial agent, to inhibit beta-hematin synthesis using a non-emzymatic colorimetric assay and globin proteolysis by electrophoretic analysis (SDS-PAGE-15%). Dequalinium was able to inhibit both processes in vitro with close correlation to a murine malaria model, reducing parasitemia levels, prolonging the survival time post-infection and curing 40% of infected mice using a combination therapy with a loading dose of chloroquine. These results confirm that dequalinium is a promising lead for antimalarial drug development.     

Synthesis, anti-tuberculosis activity, and 3D-QSAR study of 4-(adamantan-1-yl)-2-substituted quinolines

Structural optimization of the previously identified 4-(adamantan-1-yl)-2-quinolinecarbohydrazide (AQCH, MIC=6.25 microg/mL, 99% inhibition, Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv) has led to two series of 4-(adamantan-1-yl)-2-substituted quinolines (Series 1-2). All new derivatives were evaluated in vitro for antimycobacterial activities against drug-sensitive M. tuberculosis H37Rv strain. Several 4-adamantan-1-yl-quinoline-2-carboxylic acid N'-alkylhydrazides (Series 1) described herein showed promising inhibitory activity. In particular, analogs 7, 9, 20, and 21 displayed MIC of 3.125 microg/mL. Further investigation of AQCH by its reaction with various aliphatic, aromatic, and heteroaromatic aldehydes led to the synthesis of 4-adamantan-1-yl-quinoline-2-carboxylic acid alkylidene hydrazides (Series 2). Analogs 42-44 and 48 have produced promising antimycobacterial activities (99% inhibition) at 3.125 microg/mL against drug-sensitive M. tuberculosis H37Rv strain. The most potent analog 35 of the series produced 99% inhibition at 1.00 microg/mL against drug-sensitive strain, and MIC of 3.125 microg/mL against isoniazid-resistant TB strain. To understand the relationship between structure and activity, a 3D-QSAR analysis has been carried out by three methods-comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA), CoMFA with inclusion of a hydropathy field (HINT), and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA). Several statistically significant CoMFA, CoMFA with HINT, and CoMSIA models were generated. Prediction of the activity of a test set of molecules was the best for the CoMFA model generated with database alignment. Based on the CoMFA contours, we have tried to explain the structure-activity relationships of the compounds reported herein.