Structure-activity relationship and studies on the molecular mechanism of leishmanicidal N,C-coupled arylisoquinolinium salts.

Abstract

Alternative drugs against leishmaniasis are desperately needed. Antimonials, the main chemotherapeutic tool, cause serious side effects and promote chemoresistance. We previously demonstrated that representatives of N,C-linked arylisoquinolines are promising leishmanicidal drug candidates. We now performed structure-activity relationship studies varying the aryl portion of our lead substrate. The new series of compounds show an enhanced selectivity against Leishmania major in comparison to their major host cell, the macrophage. Our results suggest that the arylisoquinolinium salts decrease the macrophage infection rate acting directly on the intracellular parasites. However, the activity of the 4'-i-propyl derivative might also involve the modulation of cytokine and nitric oxide production by host macrophages. Additionally, this isoquinoline acts synergistically with amphotericin B and does not interact with drug-metabolizing cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in the metabolism of antileishmanial drugs. The results demonstrate that the newly synthesized structurally simplified N,C-coupled arylisoquinolinium salts are promising candidates to be considered as leishmanicidal pharmacophores.

• Authors: Alicia Ponte-Sucre, Tanja Gulder, Annemarie Wegehaupt, Christoph Albert, Carina Rikanović, Leonhard Schaeflein, Andreas Frank, Martina Schultheis, Matthias Unger, Ulrike Holzgrabe, Gerhard Bringmann, Heidrun Moll
• Journal: Journal of medicinal chemistry (J Med Chem) Vol. 52 Issue 3 Pg. 626-36 (Feb 12 2009) ISSN: 1520-4804 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19117415 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antiprotozoal Agents
• Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme Inhibitors
• Isoquinolines
• Amphotericin B

Topics

• Amphotericin B (pharmacology)
• Animals
• Antiprotozoal Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Cell Line
• Cell Survival (drug effects)
• Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme Inhibitors
• Drug Interactions
• Humans
• Isoquinolines (chemical synthesis, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Leishmania major (drug effects)
• Leishmaniasis (drug therapy)
• Macrophages (drug effects)
• Structure-Activity Relationship