Synthesis and antileishmanial activity of naphthoquinone-based hybrids

Introduction: leishmaniasis is a disease caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania and is considered endemic in 98 countries. Treatment with pentavalent antimonials has a high toxicity, which motivates the search for effective and less toxic drugs. α- and β-lapachones have shown different biological activities, including antiprotozoa. In recent studies, the isonicotinoylhydrazone and phthalazinylhydrazone groups were considered innovative in the development of antileishmania drugs. Molecular hybridization is a strategy for the rational development of new prototypes, where the main compound is produced through the appropriate binding of pharmacophoric subunits. Aims: to synthesize four hybrids of α- and β-lapachones, together with the isonicotinoylhydrazone and phthalazinylhydrazone groups and to determine the antileishmania activity against the promastigotic forms of L. amazonensis, L. infantum and L. major. Results: β-lapachone derivatives were more active against all tested leishmania species. ΒACIL (IC50 0.044µM) and βHDZ (IC50 0.023µM) showed 15-fold higher activity than amphotericin B. The high selectivity index exhibited by the compounds indicates greater safety for vertebrate host cells. Conclusion: the results of this work show that the hybrids βACIL and βHDZ are promising molecules for the development of new antileishmania drugs.