The evaluation of quinonoid compounds against Trypanosoma cruzi: Synthesis of imidazolic anthraquinones, nor-β-lapachone derivatives and β-lapachone-based 1,2,3-triazoles

In continuation to our screening program of napththoquinones with activity against bloodstream trypomastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas’ disease, new β-lapachone-based 1,2,3-triazoles, 3-arylamino-nor-β-lapachones, 3-alkoxy-nor-β-lapachones and imidazole anthraquinones were synthesized and evaluated against T. cruzi, with good results. In continuing our screening program of naphthoquinone activity against Trypanosoma cruzi, the aetiological agent of Chagas’ disease, new β-lapachone-based 1,2,3-triazoles, 3-arylamino-nor-β-lapachones, 3-alkoxy-nor-β-lapachones and imidazole anthraquinones were synthesised and evaluated against bloodstream trypomastigote forms of the parasite. Compounds 2,2-dimethyl-3-(2,4-dibromophenylamino)-2,3-dihydro-naphtho[1,2-b]furan-4,5-dione, IC50/24h 24.9±7.4 and 4-azido-3-bromo-2,2-dimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-benzo[h]chromene-5,6-dione with 23.4±3.8μM showed a trypanosomicidal activity higher than benznidazole. These results demonstrate the potential of naphthoquinone derivatives as novel structures for the development of alternative drugs for Chagas’ disease.