Structure-Activity Relationships and Antiplasmodial Potencies of Novel 3,4-Disubstituted 1,2,5-Oxadiazoles.

The 4-substituted 3-amino-1,2,5-oxadiazole 1 from the Malaria Box Project of the Medicines for Malaria Venture foundation shows very promising selectivity and in vitro activity against Plasmodium falciparum. Within the first series of new compounds, various 3-acylamino analogs were prepared. This paper now focuses on the investigation of the importance of the aromatic substituent in ring position 4. A number of new structure-activity relationships were elaborated, showing that antiplasmodial activity and selectivity strongly depend on the substitution pattern of the 4-phenyl moiety. In addition, physicochemical parameters relevant for drug development were calculated (logP and ligand efficiency) or determined experimentally (CYP3A4-inhibition and aqueous solubility). N-[4-(3-ethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-1,2,5-oxadiazol-3-yl]-3-methylbenzamide 51 showed high in vitro activity against the chloroquine-sensitive strain NF54 of P. falciparum (PfNF54 IC50 = 0.034 µM), resulting in a very promising selectivity index of 1526.

New Derivatives of the Multi-Stage Active Malaria Box Compound MMV030666 and Their Antiplasmodial Potencies.

MMV's Malaria Box compound MMV030666 shows multi-stage activity against various strains of Plasmodium falciparum and lacks resistance development. To evaluate the importance of its diarylether partial structure, diarylthioethers and diphenylamines with varying substitution patterns were prepared. A number of evident structure-activity relationships were revealed. Physicochemical and pharmacokinetic parameters were determined experimentally (passive permeability) or calculated. Compared to the lead compound a diarylthioether was more active and less cytotoxic resulting in an excellent selectivity index of 850. In addition, pharmacokinetic and physicochemical parameters were improved.

Antiprotozoal Activity of Azabicyclo-Nonanes Linked to Tetrazole or Sulfonamide Cores.

N-(Aminoalkyl)azabicyclo[3.2.2]nonanes possess antiplasmodial and antitrypanosomal activity. A series with terminal tetrazole or sulfonamido partial structure was prepared. The structures of all new compounds were confirmed by NMR and IR spectroscopy and by mass spectral data. A single crystal structure analysis enabled the distinction between isomers. The antiprotozoal activities were examined in vitro against strains of Plasmodium falciparum and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (STIB 900). The most active sulfonamide and tetrazole derivates showed activities in the submicromolar range.

Synthesis and Antiprotozoal Activity of Azabicyclo-Nonane Pyrimidine Hybrids.

2,4-Diaminopyrimidines and (dialkylamino)azabicyclo-nonanes possess activity against protozoan parasites. A series of fused hybrids were synthesized and tested in vitro against pathogens of malaria tropica and sleeping sickness. The activities and selectivities of compounds strongly depended on the substitution pattern of both ring systems as well as on the position of the nitrogen atom in the bicycles. The most promising hybrids of 3-azabicyclo-nonane with 2-aminopyrimidine showed activity against P. falciparum NF54 in submicromolar concentration and high selectivity. A hybrid with pyrrolidino substitution of the 2-azabicyclo-nonane as well as of the pyrimidine moiety exhibited promising activity against the multiresistant K1 strain of P. falciparum. A couple of hybrids of 2-azabicyclo-nonanes with 2-(dialkylamino)pyrimidines possessed high activity against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense STIB900 and good selectivity.

Synthesis and Structure-Activity Relationships of New 2-Phenoxybenzamides with Antiplasmodial Activity.

The 2-phenoxybenzamide 1 from the Medicines for Malaria Venture Malaria Box Project has shown promising multi-stage activity against different strains of P. falciparum. It was successfully synthesized via a retrosynthetic approach. Subsequently, twenty-one new derivatives were prepared and tested for their in vitro activity against blood stages of the NF54 strain of P. falciparum. Several insights into structure-activity relationships were revealed. The antiplasmodial activity and cytotoxicity of compounds strongly depended on the substitution pattern of the anilino partial structure as well as on the size of substituents. The diaryl ether partial structure had further impacts on the activity. Additionally, several physicochemical and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated (log P, log D7.4 and ligand efficiency) or determined experimentally (passive permeability and CYP3A4 inhibition). The tert-butyl-4-{4-[2-(4-fluorophenoxy)-3-(trifluoromethyl)benzamido]phenyl}piperazine-1-carboxylate possesses high antiplasmodial activity against P. falciparum NF54 (PfNF54 IC50 = 0.2690 µM) and very low cytotoxicity (L-6 cells IC50 = 124.0 µM) resulting in an excellent selectivity index of 460. Compared to the lead structure 1 the antiplasmodial activity was improved as well as the physicochemical and some pharmacokinetic parameters.

8-Amino-6-Methoxyquinoline-Tetrazole Hybrids: Impact of Linkers on Antiplasmodial Activity.

A new series of compounds was prepared from 6-methoxyquinolin-8-amine or its N-(2-aminoethyl) analogue via Ugi-azide reaction. Their linkers between the quinoline and the tert-butyltetrazole moieties differ in chain length, basicity and substitution. Compounds were tested for their antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum NF54 as well as their cytotoxicity against L-6-cells. The activity and the cytotoxicity were strongly influenced by the linker and its substitution. The most active compounds showed good activity and promising selectivity.

New Acyl Derivatives of 3-Aminofurazanes and Their Antiplasmodial Activities.

An N-acylated furazan-3-amine of a Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) project has shown activity against different strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Seventeen new derivatives were prepared and tested in vitro for their activities against blood stages of two strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Several structure-activity relationships were revealed. The activity strongly depended on the nature of the acyl moiety. Only benzamides showed promising activity. The substitution pattern of their phenyl ring affected the activity and the cytotoxicity of compounds. In addition, physicochemical parameters were calculated (log P, log D, ligand efficiency) or determined experimentally (permeability) via a PAMPA. The N-(4-(3,4-diethoxyphenyl)-1,2,5-oxadiazol-3-yl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)benzamide possessed good physicochemical properties and showed high antiplasmodial activity against a chloroquine-sensitive strain (IC50(NF54) = 0.019 µM) and even higher antiplasmodial activity against a multiresistant strain (IC50(K1) = 0.007 µM). Compared to the MMV compound, the permeability and the activity against the multiresistant strain were improved.

Preparation of new 1,3-dibenzyl tetrahydropyridinylidene ammonium salts and their antimicrobial and anticellular activities.

New 1,3 dibenzyl -tetrahydropyridinylidene ammonium salts have been prepared from unsubstituted or N-benzylated tetrahydropyridinylidene ammonium salts. The antiplasmodial and antitrypanosomal activities as well as their cytotoxic effects were determined using microplate assays. In addition, their activities against two gram positive and two gram negative bacteria strains and a yeast strain were examined. Furthermore, anticancer effects against two cell lines were investigated. Physicochemical parameters were calculated and structure-activity-relationships discussed. One compound showed antiplasmodial activity against a multiresistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum in subnanomolar concentration. Antitrypanosomal activities were detected in low nanomolar concentrations. A single compound was active against grampositive and gramnegative bacteria, as well as yeast. One compound inhibited the growth of a HCT cell line in low concentration.