Novel polymorphs of the anti-Trypanosoma cruzi drug benznidazole

Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc. 2014 Jan 24:118:389-94. doi: 10.1016/j.saa.2013.08.096. Epub 2013 Sep 5.

Abstract

Benznidazole (N-benzyl-2-(2-nitro-1H-imidazol-1-yl)acetamide), is a nitro-heterocyclic drug used in the treatment of Chagas disease. Despite the fact that this drug was released more than 30 years ago, little information about its solid state properties is available in the literature. In this study, it was verified that this drug exhibits three polymorphs, which were characterized in situ by X-ray powder diffraction, thermal analysis, hot stage microscopy and infrared spectroscopy. The thermodynamic relationships among these polymorphs were also discussed.

Keywords: Benznidazole; Hot stage microscopy; Infrared spectroscopy; Polymorphism; Thermal analysis; X-ray powder diffraction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chagas Disease / drug therapy
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Nitroimidazoles / chemistry*
  • Nitroimidazoles / pharmacology*
  • Spectrophotometry, Infrared
  • Trypanocidal Agents / chemistry*
  • Trypanocidal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Trypanosoma cruzi / drug effects*

Substances

  • Nitroimidazoles
  • Trypanocidal Agents
  • benzonidazole