Evaluation of azasterols as anti-parasitics.
In this article, the design and synthesis of some novel azasterols is described, followed by their evaluation against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, T. cruzi, Leishmania donovani, and Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agents of human African trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, and malaria, respectively. Some of the compounds showed anti-parasitic activity. In particular, a number of compounds appeared to very potently inhibit the growth of the blood stream form T. b. rhodesiense, with one compound giving an IC50 value of 12 nM. Clear structure activity relationships could be discerned. These compounds represent important leads for further optimization. Azasterols have previously been shown to inhibit sterol biosynthesis in T. cruzi and L. donovani by the inhibition of the enzyme sterol 24-methyltransferase. However, in this case, none of the compounds showed inhibition of the enzyme. Therefore, these compounds have an unknown mode of action.
Gros
Ludovic
L
Welsh School of Pharmacy, Cardiff University, Redwood Building, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3XF, UK.
Lorente
Silvia Orenes
SO
Jimenez
Carmen Jimenez
CJ
Yardley
Vanessa
V
Rattray
Lauren
L
Wharton
Hayley
H
Little
Susan
S
Croft
Simon L
SL
Ruiz-Perez
Luis M
LM
Gonzalez-Pacanowska
Dolores
D
Gilbert
Ian H
IH
D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D001378:Azasteroids / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D007893:Leishmania donovani / Q000187:drug effects; D008780:Methyltransferases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000187:drug effects; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D013261:Sterols / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D014344:Trypanocidal Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D016833:Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense / Q000187:drug effects; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000187:drug effects
D000962:Antimalarials; D001378:Azasteroids; D013261:Sterols; D014344:Trypanocidal Agents; D008780:Methyltransferases; C022670:delta 24-sterol methyltransferase