3-Hydroxy-propanamidines, a New Class of Orally Active Antimalarials Targeting Plasmodium falciparum

J Med Chem. 2021 Mar 25;64(6):3035-3047. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01744. Epub 2021 Mar 5.

Abstract

3-Hydroxypropanamidines are a new promising class of highly active antiplasmodial agents. The most active compound 22 exhibited excellent antiplasmodial in vitro activity with nanomolar inhibition of chloroquine-sensitive and multidrug-resistant parasite strains ofPlasmodium falciparum (with IC50 values of 5 and 12 nM against 3D7 and Dd2 strains, respectively) as well as low cytotoxicity in human cells. In addition, 22 showed strong in vivo activity in thePlasmodium berghei mouse model with a cure rate of 66% at 50 mg/kg and a cure rate of 33% at 30 mg/kg in the Peters test after once daily oral administration for 4 consecutive days. A quick onset of action was indicated by the fast drug absorption shown in mice. The new lead compound was also characterized by a high barrier to resistance and inhibited the heme detoxification machinery in P. falciparum.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amidines / chemistry*
  • Amidines / pharmacokinetics
  • Amidines / pharmacology*
  • Amidines / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Antimalarials / chemistry*
  • Antimalarials / pharmacokinetics
  • Antimalarials / pharmacology*
  • Antimalarials / therapeutic use
  • Cell Line
  • Drug Design
  • Humans
  • Malaria / drug therapy
  • Malaria, Falciparum / drug therapy*
  • Mice
  • Parasitic Sensitivity Tests
  • Plasmodium berghei / drug effects
  • Plasmodium falciparum / drug effects*
  • Propane / chemistry
  • Propane / pharmacokinetics
  • Propane / pharmacology
  • Propane / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Amidines
  • Antimalarials
  • Propane