Abstract
We report structure-activity studies of a large number of dialkyl imidazoles as inhibitors of Trypanosoma cruzi lanosterol-14α-demethylase (L14DM). The compounds have a simple structure compared to posaconazole, another L14DM inhibitor that is an anti-Chagas drug candidate. Several compounds display potency for killing T. cruzi amastigotes in vitro with values of EC 50 in the 0.4-10 nM range. Two compounds were selected for efficacy studies in a mouse model of acute Chagas disease. At oral doses of 20-50 mg/kg given after establishment of parasite infection, the compounds reduced parasitemia in the blood to undetectable levels, and analysis of remaining parasites by PCR revealed a lack of parasites in the majority of animals. These dialkyl imidazoles are substantially less expensive to produce than posaconazole and are appropriate for further development toward an anti-Chagas disease clinical candidate.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 3703-3715 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Journal of Medicinal Chemistry |
Volume | 52 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 25 2009 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Molecular Medicine
- Drug Discovery