title: Synthesis, DNA affinity, and antiprotozoal activity of fused ring dicationic compounds and their prodrugs.
abstract: Dicationic guanidine, N-alkylguanidine, and reversed amidine derivatives of fused ring systems have been synthesized from their corresponding bis-amines. DNA binding studies suggest that the diguanidines and the N-alkyl diguanidines fluorenes bind in the minor groove in a manner similar to that of the previously reported dicationic carbazole derivatives. The diguanidines and the N-alkyl diguanidines showed promising in vitro activity against both Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Plasmodium falciparum. Promising in vivo biological results were obtained for the dicationic N-isopropylguanidino-9H-fluorene, giving 4/4 cures of the treated animals in the STIB900 animal model for African trypanosomiasis. The N-methyl analogue showed high activity as well. In addition, with the goal of enhancing the oral bioavailability, two novel classes of potential guanidine prodrugs were prepared. The N-alkoxyguanidine derivatives were not effective as prodrugs. In contrast, a number of the carbamates showed promising activity. The value of the carbamate prodrugs was clearly demonstrated by the results, which gave 4/4 cures on oral administration in the STIB900 mouse model.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Center for Biotechnology and Drug Design, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3083, USA.
authors.forename: Reem K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Arafa
authors.forename: Reto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brun
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wenzler
authors.forename: Farial A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Tanious
authors.forename: W David
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Chad E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Stephens
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Boykin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D002219:Carbamates / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D002412:Cations; D002942:Circular Dichroism; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D005449:Fluorenes / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D006146:Guanidines / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000187:drug effects; D011067:Poly dA-dT / Q000737:chemistry; D011355:Prodrugs / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D016833:Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense / Q000187:drug effects; D014353:Trypanosomiasis, African / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D002219:Carbamates; D002412:Cations; D005449:Fluorenes; D006146:Guanidines; D011355:Prodrugs; D011067:Poly dA-dT; D004247:DNA