Synthesis and evaluation of new furanyl and thiophenyl azoles as antileishmanial agents

A series of benzyloxy furanyl and benzyloxy thiophenyl azoles were synthesized and screened for their in vitro antileishmanial activity against Leishmania donovani. Among all, 16 compounds have shown more than 90% inhibition against promastigotes at 20 μM while 11 compounds exhibited IC 50 in the range of 3.04–9.39 μM against amastigotes. Compound 4, a 3-chlorobenzyloxy furanyl imidazole emerged as the most active compound in the series with IC 50 value of 3.04 μM and SI value of 19.80, and was several folds more potent than the reference drugs miltefosine and miconazole. Synthesis and in vitro antileishmanial activity of a series of benzyloxy furanyl and benzyloxy thiophenyl azoles against Leishmania donovani is reported. [Display omitted] ► Benzyloxy furanyl and thiophenyl azoles as Antileishmanials. ► Imidazoles are more potent than triazoles. ► Compounds with Chlorobenzyloxy moieties were more active than fluoro benzyloxy.