1,4-Disubstituted thiosemicarbazide derivatives are potent inhibitors of Toxoplasma gondii proliferation

Molecules. 2014 Jul 9;19(7):9926-43. doi: 10.3390/molecules19079926.

Abstract

A series of 4-arylthiosemicarbazides substituted at the N1 position with a 5-membered heteroaryl ring was synthesized and evaluated in vitro for T. gondii inhibition proliferation and host cell cytotoxicity. At non-toxic concentrations for the host cells all studied compounds displayed excellent anti-parasitic effects when compared to sulfadiazine, indicating a high selectivity of their anti-T. gondii activity. The differences in bioactivity investigated by DFT calculations suggest that the inhibitory activity of 4-aryl-thiosemicarbazides towards T. gondii proliferation is connected with the electronic structure of the molecule. Further, these compounds were tested as potential antibacterial agents. No growth-inhibiting effect on any of the test microorganisms was observed for all the compounds, even at high concentrations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / chemistry*
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line
  • Female
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Mice
  • Molecular Structure
  • Parasitic Sensitivity Tests
  • Semicarbazides / chemistry*
  • Semicarbazides / pharmacology*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Staphylococcus aureus / enzymology
  • Topoisomerase II Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Topoisomerase II Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Toxoplasma / drug effects*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • Semicarbazides
  • Topoisomerase II Inhibitors
  • thiosemicarbazide