ABSTRACT
Reactions of antimalarial beta-sulfonyl endoperoxides 9 and 10, which, like yingzhaosu A (2), derive from the 2,3-dioxabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane system 3, with iron(II) salts were studied. Product analysis of the iron(II)-induced degradations provided evidence for the intermediacy of carbon-centered cyclohexyl radicals 20 and 31 and their possible oxidation to the corresponding carbocations 21 and 32. It is conceivable that the antimalarial activity of beta-sulfonyl endoperoxides of type 5 may derive from alkylation of vital intraparasitic biomolecules by free radicals and/or carbocations, generated within the malaria parasite through a similar iron(II)-induced degradation process.
Subject(s)
Antimalarials/metabolism , Iron/pharmacology , Peroxides/metabolism , Antimalarials/chemistry , Free Radicals/chemistry , Free Radicals/metabolism , Oxidation-Reduction , Peroxides/chemistry , Peroxides/therapeutic use , Prodrugs/chemistry , Prodrugs/metabolism , Sulfinic Acids/chemistryABSTRACT
A series of 4,8-dimethyl-4-phenylsulfonylmethyl-2,3-dioxabicyclo[3.3.1]+ ++nonanes, carrying a variety of substituents at position-8 (4) were prepared by a short and efficient method from R-(+)-limonene. Key reactions include thiol oxygen cooxidation, and alkylation and acylation of a sterically hindered tertiary alcohol compatible with the endoperoxy functionality. Some of compounds 4, which are structurally related to yingzhaosu A (2), were found to exhibit in vitro antimalarial activity comparable to that of artemisinin (1) and superior to that of arteflene (3).