Dehydrodieugenol B derivatives as antiparasitic agents: Synthesis and biological activity against Trypanosoma cruzi

• Published in: European journal of medicinal chemistry Vol. 176; pp. 162 - 174
• Main Authors: Ferreira, Daiane D., Sousa, Fernanda S., Costa-Silva, Thais A., Reimão, Juliana Q., Torrecilhas, Ana C., Johns, Deidre M., Sear, Claire E., Honorio, Kathia M., Lago, João Henrique G., Anderson, Edward A., Tempone, Andre G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: ISSY-LES-MOULINEAUX Elsevier Masson SAS 15.08.2019; Elsevier
• Subjects: Chagas disease; Chemistry, Medicinal; Drugs; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Neolignans; Pharmacology & Pharmacy; Science & Technology; Therapy; Trypanosoma cruzi; Drugs; Chagas disease; Therapy; Neolignans; Trypanosoma cruzi; Trypanosome cruzi; IN-VITRO; PHENOLS; CHAGAS-DISEASE; RESISTANCE; MECHANISMS; TOXICITY; BENZNIDAZOLE
• ISSN: 0223-5234; 1768-3254
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.05.001

Chagas disease is a neglected protozoan disease that affects more than eight million people in developing countries. Due to the limited number and toxicity profiles of therapies in current use, new drugs are urgently needed. In previous studies, we reported the isolation of two related antitrypanosomal neolignans from Nectandra leucantha (Lauraceae). In this work, a semi-synthetic library of twenty-three neolignan derivatives was prepared to explore synthetically accessible structure activity relationships (SAR) against Trypanosoma cruzi. Five compounds demonstrated activity against trypomastigotes (IC50 values from 8 to 64 μM) and eight showed activity against intracellular amastigotes (IC50 values from 7 to 16 μM). Eighteen derivatives demonstrated no mammalian cytotoxicity up to 200 μM. The phenolic acetate derivative of natural dehydrodieugenol B was effective against both parasite forms and eliminated 100% of amastigotes inside macrophages. This compound caused rapid and intense depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential, with decreased levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species being observed. Fluorescence assays demonstrated that this derivative affected neither the permeability nor the electric potential of the parasitic plasma membrane, an effect also corroborated by scanning electron microscopy studies. Structure-activity relationship studies (SARs) demonstrated that the presence of at least one allyl side chain on the biaryl ether core was important for antitrypanosomal activity, and that the free phenol is not essential. This set of neolignan derivatives represents a promising starting point for future Chagas disease drug discovery studies. [Display omitted] •Semi-synthetic neolignan derivatives showed potent anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity.•A derivative caused intense depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential.•At least one allyl side chain on the biaryl ether core is important for activity.•The free phenol is not essential for activity.•This set of derivatives are promising starting points for lead optimization.