Transgenic pyrimethamine-resistant plasmodium falciparum reveals transmission-blocking potency of P218, a novel antifolate candidate drug

Antimalarial drugs capable of targeting multiple parasite stages, particularly the transmissible stages, can be valuable tools for advancing the malaria elimination agenda. Current antifolate drugs such as pyrimethamine can inhibit replicative parasite stages in both humans and mosquitoes, but antifolate resistance remains a challenge. The lack of reliable gametocyte-producing, antifolate-resistant Plasmodium falciparum laboratory strain hinders the study of new antifolate compounds that can overcome antifolate resistance including development stages in the mosquito. We used clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-Cas9 genome editing to develop a transgenic gametocyte-producing strain of P. falciparum with quadruple mutations (N51I, C59R, S108N, I164L) in the dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) gene, using NF54 as a parental strain. The transgenic parasites exhibited pyrimethamine resistance while maintaining their gametocyte-producing activity. We then demonstrated that pyrimethamine could no longer inhibit male gametocyte exflagellation in the transgenic parasite. In contrast, P218, the novel antifolate, designed to overcome antifolate resistance, potently inhibited exflagellation. The exflagellation IC₅₀ of P218 was five times lower than the asexual stage half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀), suggesting a strong barrier for transmission of P218-resistant parasites. The transgenic gametocyte-producing, pyrimethamine-resistant parasite is a robust system for evaluating novel antifolate compounds against non-asexual stage development.     

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships for new 6-fluoroquinoline derivatives with antiplasmodial activity

The substitution of 6-fluoroquinolines was modified in ring positions 2 and 4. The new compounds were tested in vitro for their activities against a sensitive and a multidrug resistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum. Some physicochemical parametres were calculated (log P, log D, ligand efficiency) or determined experimentally (permeability). The most promising compounds were tested for their in vivo activity against Plasmodium berghei in a mouse model. The 6-fluoro-2-{4-[(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]phenyl}-N-[2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethyl]quinoline-4-carboxamide possessed proper physicochemical properties and showed high antiplasmodial activity in vitro (IC₅₀?≤?0.0029?µM) and in vivo (99.6% activity).     

Antimicrobial effects of N-benzyloxycarbonyl-S-(2,4-dinitrophenyl) glutathione diesters against chloroquinine sensitive (NF54) and resistant (K1) strains of Plasmodium falciparum

N-Benzyloxycarbony-S-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)glutathione diesters have been investigated for antimalarial activity against chloroquinine sensitive (NF54) and resistant (K1) strains of P. falciparum. Both strains appear equally susceptible to inhibition by compounds 1–4, with an IC₅₀ ∼ 4.92–6.97 μM, consistent with the target of these compounds being the PfMRP transporter. Against the NF54 strain, diester derivatives containing ethyl side chains showed lower in vitro activity than those with methyl side chains 1–4, IC₅₀ ∼ 5.7–6.97 μM with the exception of compound 5 (IC₅₀ > 25 μM). The cytotoxicity of compounds with log P ∼ 3.9–5.8 were lower against the murine L6 cell line than compounds with a higher log P > 5.8 that were toxic. Overall the cytotoxicity of compounds 1–7 were lower against KB cells than against the L6 cell line with the exception of compound 4, which showed a higher relative toxicity.     

Plasmodium berghei ANKA: Selection of resistance to piperaquine and lumefantrine in a mouse model

We have selected piperaquine (PQ) and lumefantrine (LM) resistant Plasmodium berghei ANKA parasite lines in mice by drug pressure. Effective doses that reduce parasitaemia by 90% (ED₉₀) of PQ and LM against the parent line were 3.52 and 3.93 mg/kg, respectively. After drug pressure (more than 27 passages), the selected parasite lines had PQ and LM resistance indexes (I₉₀) [ED₉₀ of resistant line/ED₉₀ of parent line] of 68.86 and 63.55, respectively. After growing them in the absence of drug for 10 passages and cryo-preserving them at −80 °C for at least 2 months, the resistance phenotypes remained stable. Cross-resistance studies showed that the PQ-resistant line was highly resistant to LM, while the LM-resistant line remained sensitive to PQ. Thus, if the mechanism of resistance is similar in P. berghei and Plasmodium falciparum, the use of LM (as part of Coartem^®) should not select for PQ resistance.     

Synthesis and antimalarial evaluation of a screening library based on a tetrahydroanthraquinone natural product scaffold

As part of a research program aimed at discovering new antimalarial leads from Australian macrofungi a unique fungi-derived prefractionated library was screened against a chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium falciparum line (3D7) using a radiometric growth inhibition assay. A library fraction derived from a Cortinarius species displayed promising antimalarial activity. UV-guided fractionation on the CH₂Cl₂/MeOH extract from this fungus resulted in the isolation of four known compounds: (1S,3R)-austrocortirubin (1), (1S,3S)-austrocortirubin (2), 1-deoxyaustrocortirubin (3), and austrocortinin (4). Compound 2 was used as a natural product scaffold in the parallel solution-phase synthesis of a small library of N-substituted tetrahydroanthraquinones (5–15). All compounds (1–15) were tested in vitro against P. falciparum 3D7 parasites and (1S,3S)-austrocortirubin (2), the major fungal constituent, was shown to be the most active compound with an IC₅₀ of 1.9 μM. This compound displayed moderate cytotoxicity against neonatal foreskin fibroblast (NFF) cells with an IC₅₀ of 15.6 μM.     

Antiplasmodial and cytotoxicity activities of some selected plants used by the Maasai community, Kenya

Malaria has continued to be a major global public health problem and a health concern in most of African countries. An estimated 350–500 million cases of malaria each year result in about one million deaths, mainly children under five. The rate of malaria infection is increasing rapidly partly due to drug resistance by the Plasmodium falciparum. The cost of the current drugs is prohibitive to the poor. There is therefore urgent need to identify new antimalarial agents that are effective, safe and affordable. In our continuous search for these new antimalarial compounds, extracts from five medicinal plants from the Maasai community in Kenya were tested against P. falciparum (D6; chloroquine sensitive and W2; chloroquine resistant strains). Of the tested total plant extracts, 5 crude extracts showed good antiplasmodial activity against D6 strain of P. falciparum with IC₅₀ values lower or equal to 14.3 μg/ml, 2 were moderately active with IC₅₀ values in between 26.6 and < 50 μg/ml. The petroleum ether extracts of the aerial parts and roots of Fuerstia africana demonstrated high antiplasmodial activity against the chloroquine sensitive antiplasmodial strain D6 (IC₅₀ 1.5 and 4.6 μg/ml, respectively with a selectivity index of 44 against vero cells). Manilkara discolor also exhibited promising antiplasmodial activity especially against D6 (IC₅₀ 11.5 and 26.6 μg/ml). In addition, ethyl acetate extract of the roots of Pentas lanceolata and the aerial parts of Sericocomopsis hildebrandtii demonstrated moderate antiplasmodial activity against D6 and W2 (IC₅₀ 14.3 and 16.51 μg/ml) respectively. F. africana therefore has high potential and can be pursued for the development of an antimalarial drug.     

The decline of malaria in Finland – the impact of the vector and social variables

Background

Resistance to anti-malarial drugs hampers control efforts and increases the risk of morbidity and mortality from malaria. The efficacy of standard therapies for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax malaria was assessed in Chumkiri, Kampot Province, Cambodia.

Methods

One hundred fifty-one subjects with uncomplicated falciparum malaria received directly observed therapy with 12 mg/kg artesunate (over three days) and 25 mg/kg mefloquine, up to a maximum dose of 600 mg artesunate/1,000 mg mefloquine. One hundred nine subjects with uncomplicated vivax malaria received a total of 25 mg/kg chloroquine, up to a maximum dose of 1,500 mg, over three days. Subjects were followed for 42 days or until recurrent parasitaemia was observed. For P. falciparum infected subjects, PCR genotyping of msp1, msp2, and glurp was used to distinguish treatment failures from new infections. Treatment failure rates at days 28 and 42 were analyzed using both per protocol and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Real Time PCR was used to measure the copy number of the pfmdr1 gene and standard 48-hour isotopic hypoxanthine incorporation assays were used to measure IC₅₀ for anti-malarial drugs.

Results

Among P. falciparum infected subjects, 47.0% were still parasitemic on day 2 and 11.3% on day 3. The PCR corrected treatment failure rates determined by survival analysis at 28 and 42 days were 13.1% and 18.8%, respectively. Treatment failure was associated with increased pfmdr1 copy number, higher initial parasitaemia, higher mefloquine IC₅₀, and longer time to parasite clearance. One P. falciparum isolate, from a treatment failure, had markedly elevated IC₅₀ for both mefloquine (130 nM) and artesunate (6.7 nM). Among P. vivax infected subjects, 42.1% suffered recurrent P. vivax parasitaemia. None acquired new P. falciparum infection.

Conclusion

The results suggest that artesunate-mefloquine combination therapy is beginning to fail in southern Cambodia and that resistance is not confined to the provinces at the Thai-Cambodian border. It is unclear whether the treatment failures are due solely to mefloquine resistance or to artesunate resistance as well. The findings of delayed clearance times and elevated artesunate IC₅₀ suggest that artesunate resistance may be emerging on a background of mefloquine resistance.     

Plasmodium falciparum: Drug sensitivity in vitro of isolates before and after adaptation to continuous culture

Fifteen strains of Plasmodium falciparum have been cultivated since 1979 using the Trager and Jensen method of continuous culture on isolates from malaria patients. One hundred and two drug sensitivity studies have been carried out on these strains using a semimicro test. Three isolates, initially resistant to chloroquine, adapted rapidly to in vitro cultivation and maintained their high level of resistance (ED₅₀ above 660 nM). Eleven isolates, initially chloroquine sensitive (ED₅₀ under 90 nM) became resistant to this drug (ED₅₀ = 190 to 1950 nM) after the 2–15 weeks required for their adaptation to continuous culture. The resistance of these strains never decreased during the following 15 months of continuous culture. The sensitivity to quinine varied initially from one strain to another (ED₅₀= 160 to 660 nM) and fluctuated during cultivation in the ratio of 1, 3.5 for a given strain. The sensitivity of mefloquine remained high for all strains (ED₅₀ under 150 nM) but one (ED₅₀ = 560 nM). These results suggest that there might be a relationship between in vitro adaptation to culture of P. falciparum by the Trager-Jensen method and a chloroquine-resistant characteristic of the strain. There is the possibility of the emergence of a drug-resistant subpopulation or of changes in the metabolic pathways.     

Resveratrol potentially increased the tumoricidal effect of doxorubicin on SKOV3 cancer stem cells in vitro

Ovarian cancer is associated with a high percentage of recurrence of tumor and resistance to chemotherapy. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) form a rare population with a significant capacity to begin and expand malignant diseases. Eliminating the drug resistance of CSCs by factors that have fewer side effects to the patient is vital. To investigate the effect of resveratrol (RES) and doxorubicin (DOX) on drug resistance and apoptosis of CSCs; at the first, isolation of CSCs from SKOV3 ovarian carcinoma cells and their dosage adjustment (IC₅₀) with RES and DOX was performed. Then, isolated CSCs were treated with RES and DOX IC ₅₀ of 55 and 250 nM, respectively. Subsequently, their effects on drug resistance and cell death were evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction, rhodamine 123 uptakes. The results of the present study demonstrated that treatment of SKOV3 with 55 μM of RES and 250 nM of DOX simultaneously increased cell viability in CSCs to DOX after 24 and 48 hours by increasing the expression of Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX) and caspase-3 genes, and decreased the expression and function of multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) genes indicated by intracellular the rhodamine 123 content. Treatment of RES could increase the activity of DOX cell viability in CSCs originated from SKOV3 ovarian carcinoma and decrease drug resistance capacity to DOX.     

A Process Similar to Autophagy Is Associated with Cytocidal Chloroquine Resistance in Plasmodium falciparum

Resistance to the cytostatic activity of the antimalarial drug chloroquine (CQ) is becoming well understood, however, resistance to cytocidal effects of CQ is largely unexplored. We find that PfCRT mutations that almost fully recapitulate P. falciparum cytostatic CQ resistance (CQR^CS) as quantified by CQ IC₅₀ shift, account for only 10–20% of cytocidal CQR (CQR^CC) as quantified by CQ LD₅₀ shift. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis of the progeny of a chloroquine sensitive (CQS; strain HB3)×chloroquine resistant (CQR; strain Dd2) genetic cross identifies distinct genetic architectures for CQR^CS vs CQR^CC phenotypes, including identification of novel interacting chromosomal loci that influence CQ LD₅₀. Candidate genes in these loci are consistent with a role for autophagy in CQR^CC, leading us to directly examine the autophagy pathway in intraerythrocytic CQR parasites. Indirect immunofluorescence of RBC infected with synchronized CQS vs CQR trophozoite stage parasites reveals differences in the distribution of the autophagy marker protein PfATG8 coinciding with CQR^CC. Taken together, the data show that an unusual autophagy – like process is either activated or inhibited for intraerythrocytic trophozoite parasites at LD₅₀ doses (but not IC₅₀ doses) of CQ, that the pathway is altered in CQR P. falciparum, and that it may contribute along with mutations in PfCRT to confer the CQR^CC phenotype.     

Partial purification and characterization of mitochondrial DNA polymerase from Plasmodium falciparum

Mitochondria of chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum (K1 strain) were isolated from mature trophozoites by differential centrifugation. The mitochondrial marker enzyme cytochrome c reductase was employed to monitor the steps of mitochondria isolation. Partial purification of DNA polymerase from P. falciparum mitochondria was performed using fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC). DNA polymerase of P. falciparum mitochondria was characterized as a γ-like DNA polymerase based on its sensitivity to the inhibitors aphidicolin, N-ethylmaleimide and 9-β- -arabinofuranosyladenine-5′-triphosphate. In contrast, the enzyme was found to be strongly resistant to 2′,3′-dideoxythymidine-5′-triphosphate (IC₅₀>400 μM) and differed in this aspect from the human homologue, possibly indicating structural differences between human and P. falciparum DNA polymerase γ. In addition, the DNA polymerase of parasite mitochondria was shown to be resistant (IC₅₀>1 mM) to the nucleotide analogue (S)-1-[3-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl]adenine diphosphate (HPMPApp).     

Adamantane amine-linked chloroquinoline derivatives as chloroquine resistance modulating agents in Plasmodium falciparum

Previously we have shown that pentacycloundecylamine-chloroquinoline (PCU-CQ) conjugates possess significant chemosensitizing abilities and can circumvent the resistance associated with chloroquine (CQ) resistant plasmodia. In order to further explore structurally related polycyclic compounds as reversed CQ agents we synthesized a series of eight aza-adamantanol (1–4) and adamantane-imine (5–8) CQ conjugates. All conjugates showed limited cytotoxicity against CHO cells (IC₅₀?>?37?µM). Compounds 1, 2 and 5 were highly active (K1 IC₅₀?<?100?nM) exhibiting a 3–4-fold increase in antiplasmodial activity against CQ resistant strain K1 compared to CQ. Reduced cross-resistance (resistance index, RI: 2–4.3) relative to CQ (RI?=?38) was also observed for these compounds. Compound 1 which showed an 18-fold enhancement at retaining its activity against the K1 strain compared to CQ is a promising candidate to substitute CQ in P. falciparum resistant malaria.     

Synthesis and evaluation of the antiplasmodial activity of novel indeno[2,1-c]quinoline derivatives

With the aim to explore the potentiality of new chemical scaffolds for the design of new antimalarials, a set of new indeno[2,1-c]quinolines bearing different basic heads has been synthesized and tested in vitro against chloroquine sensitive (CQ-S) and chloroquine resistant (CQ-R) strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Most of the synthesized compounds exhibited a moderate antiplasmodial activity, inhibiting the growth of both CQ-S and CQ-R strains of P. falciparum with IC₅₀ ranging from 0.24 to 6.9 μM and with a very low resistance index. The most potent compounds (1.2–1.3-fold the CQ on the W-2 strain) can be considered as promising ‘lead compounds’ to be further optimized to improve efficacy and selectivity against Plasmodia.     

Selection of Drug-Resistant Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) Encoding FIV/HIV Chimeric Protease in the Presence of HIV-Specific Protease Inhibitors

An infectious chimeric feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)/HIV strain carrying six HIV-like protease (PR) mutations (I37V/N55M/V59I/I98S/Q99V/P100N) was subjected to selection in culture against the PR inhibitor lopinavir (LPV), darunavir (DRV), or TL-3. LPV selection resulted in the sequential emergence of V99A (strain S-1X), I59V (strain S-2X), and I108V (strain S-3X) mutations, followed by V37I (strain S-4X). Mutant PRs were analyzed in vitro, and an isogenic virus producing each mutant PR was analyzed in culture for LPV sensitivity, yielding results consistent with the original selection. The 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀s) for S-1X, S-2X, S-3X, and S-4X were 95, 643, 627, and 1,543 nM, respectively. The primary resistance mutations, V99⁸²A, I59⁵⁰V, and V37³²I, are consistent with the resistance pattern developed by HIV-1 under similar selection conditions. While resistance to LPV emerged readily, similar PR mutations causing resistance to either DRV or TL-3 failed to emerge after passage for more than a year. However, a G37D mutation in the nucleocapsid (NC) was observed in both selections and an isogenic G37D mutant replicated in the presence of 100 nM DRV or TL-3, whereas parental chimeric FIV could not. An additional mutation, L92V, near the PR active site in the folded structure recently emerged during TL-3 selection. The L92V mutant PR exhibited an IC₅₀ of 50 nM, compared to 35 nM for 6s-98S PR, and processed the NC-p2 junction more efficiently, consistent with increased viral fitness. These findings emphasize the role of mutations outside the active site of PR in increasing viral resistance to active-site inhibitors and suggest additional targets for inhibitor development.     

Discovery and preliminary structure–activity relationship analysis of 1,14-sperminediphenylacetamides as potent and selective antimalarial lead compounds

Screening of synthesized and isolated marine natural products for in vitro activity against four parasitic protozoa has identified the ascidian metabolite 1,14-sperminedihomovanillamide (orthidine F, 1) as being a non-toxic, moderate growth inhibitor of Plasmodium falciparum (IC₅₀ 0.89 μM). Preliminary structure–activity relationship investigation identified essentiality of the spermine polyamine core and the requirement for 1,14-disubstitution for potent activity. One analogue, 1,14-spermine-di-(2-hydroxyphenylacetamide) (3), exhibited two orders of magnitude increased anti-P. f activity (IC₅₀ 8.6 nM) with no detectable in vitro toxicity. The ease of synthesis of phenylacetamido-polyamines, coupled with potent nM levels of activity towards dual drug resistant strains of P. falciparum makes this compound class of interest in the development of new antimalarial therapeutics.     

Synthesis and antiplasmodial evaluation of novel (4-aminobutyloxy)quinolines

A variety of 5-, 6- and 8-(4-aminobutyloxy)quinolines as novel oxygen analogues of known 4- and 8-(4-aminobutylamino)quinoline antimalarial drugs was generated from hydroxyquinolines through a three-step approach with a rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation as the key step. Antiplasmodial assays of these new quinolines revealed micromolar potency for all representatives against a chloroquine-sensitive strain of Plasmodium falciparum, and three compounds showed submicromolar activity against a chloroquine-resistant strain of P. falciparum with IC₅₀-values ranging between 150 and 680 nM.     

Indole and aminoimidazole moieties appear as key structural units in antiplasmodial molecules

From a library of compounds of natural sources, a big series of molecules was chosen by random sampling to evaluate their in vitro antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum and their antifungal activity against Candida sp. From 184 molecules tested, no molecules were active against Candida sp. (MIC > 10 μg/ml) whereas 13 clearly showed high antiplasmodial activity in vitro, with an IC₅₀ less than 1 μg/ml against the chloroquine-resistant strain of P. falciparum FcM29-Cameroon. The molecules with the best antiplasmodial efficacy were 10-hydroxy-ellipticin (IC₅₀: 0.08 μg/ml), tchibangensin (IC₅₀: 0.13 μg/ml), ellipticin hydrochloride (IC₅₀: 0.17 μg/ml), usambarensin (IC₅₀: 0.23 μg/ml), 7S,3S-ochropposinine oxindole (IC₅₀: 0.25 μg/ml), 3,14-dihydro-ellipticin (IC₅₀: 0.25 μg/ml), tetrahydro-4′,5′,6′17-usambarensin 17S (IC₅₀: 0.26 μg/ml), ellipticine (IC₅₀: 0.28 μg/ml), aricin (IC₅₀: 0.3 μg/ml), 10-methoxy-ellipticin (IC₅₀: 0.32 μg/ml), aplysinopsin (IC₅₀: 0.43 μg/ml), descarbomethoxydihydrogambirtannin (IC₅₀: 0.46 μg/ml) and ochrolifuanin A (IC₅₀: 0.47 μg/ml). Among these 13 promising molecules, all except descarbomethoxydihydrogambirtannin, ochrolifuanine A and usambarensine presented here novel biological activities since they had never been described in the literature for their antiplasmodial activity. In spite of the large diversity of the molecules which have been tested, it is interesting to note that the ones active against Plasmodium are all indole derivatives (and one is both indolic and aminoimidazolic). To find new antiplasmodial compounds, ethnopharmacological approaches studying traditional medicine treatments for malaria is largely used but random research produced here an interesting yield (7%) of new antiplasmodial hits and appears therefore complementary to the traditional medicine way.     

Biological activities of plant extracts from Ficus elastica and Selaginella vogelli: An antimalarial,antitrypanosomal and cytotoxity evaluation

The cytotoxic, antiplasmodial, and antitrypanosomal activities of two medicinal plants traditionally used in Cameroon were evaluated. Wood of Ficus elastica Roxb. ex Hornem. aerial roots (Moraceae) and Selaginella vogelii Spring (Selaginellaceae) leaves were collected from two different sites in Cameroon. In vitro cell-growth inhibition activities were assessed on methanol extract of plant materials against Plasmodium falciparum strain 3D7 and Trypanosoma brucei brucei, as well as against HeLa human cervical carcinoma cells. Criteria for activity were an IC₅₀ value < 10 μg/mL. The extract of S. vogelii did not significantly reduce the viability of P. falciparum at a concentration of 25 μg/mL but dramatically affected the trypanosome growth with an IC₅₀ of 2.4 μg/mL. In contrast, at the same concentration, the extract of F. elastica exhibited plasmodiacidal activity (IC₅₀ value of 9.5 μg/mL) and trypanocidal (IC₅₀ value of 0.9 μg/mL) activity. Both extracts presented low cytotoxic effects on HeLa cancer cell line. These results indicate that the selected medicinal plants could be further investigated for identifying compounds that may be responsible for the observed activities and that may represent new leads in parasitical drug discovery.     

Structure based drug design and in vitro metabolism study: Discovery of N-(4-methylthiophenyl)-N,2-dimethyl-cyclopenta[d]pyrimidine as a potent microtubule targeting agent

We report a series of tubulin targeting agents, some of which demonstrate potent antiproliferative activities. These analogs were designed to optimize the antiproliferative activity of 1 by varying the heteroatom substituent at the 4′-position, the basicity of the 4-position amino moiety, and conformational restriction. The potential metabolites of the active compounds were also synthesized. Some compounds demonstrated single digit nanomolar IC₅₀ values for antiproliferative effects in MDA-MB-435 melanoma cells. Particularly, the S-methyl analog 3 was more potent than 1 in MDA-MB-435 cells (IC₅₀?=?4.6?nM). Incubation of 3 with human liver microsomes showed that the primary metabolite of the S-methyl moiety of 3 was the methyl sulfinyl group, as in analog 5. This metabolite was equipotent with the lead compound 1 in MDA-MB-435 cells (IC₅₀?=?7.9?nM). Molecular modeling and electrostatic surface area were determined to explain the activities of the analogs. Most of the potent compounds overcome multiple mechanisms of drug resistance and compound 3 emerged as the lead compound for further SAR and preclinical development.     

Bis(oxyphenylene)benzimidazoles: a novel class of anti-Plasmodium falciparum agents

A small library of 26 2,2′-[alkane-α,ω-diylbis(oxyphenylene)]bis-1H-benzimidazoles has been prepared and evaluated against Giardia intestinalis, Entamoeba histolytica, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania donovani, and Plasmodium falciparum. Among the tested compounds, eight derivatives (17, 19, 20, 24, 27, 30, 32 and 35) exhibited an anti-Plasmodium falciparum activity characterized by IC₅₀ values in the range of 180–410 nM (0.11–0.21 μg/mL) and selectivity indexes (IC₅₀ rat skeletal myoblasts L6 cells vs IC₅₀P. falciparum K1 strain) varying between 92 and more than 450. Two of the eight novel drug leads, namely compounds 19 and 32, were also active against G. intestinalis and L. donovani with selectivity indexes of 122 and >164 respectively.