Dicationic DNA-targeted antiprotozoal agents: Naphthalene replacement of benzimidazole Original Research Article

A series of naphthalene analogues of highly active benzimidazole diamidines were synthesized using sequential Stille and Suzuki coupling reactions for preparation of the bis-nitrile intermediates. All of the diamidines showed strong DNA affinities as judged by high ΔTm values with poly(dA–dT). The dicationic compounds were quite active in vitro versus Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (T. b. r.) exhibiting IC50 values ranging from 4 to 98 nM. These compounds were also active versus Plasmodium falciparum (P. f.) giving IC50 values ranging from 4 to 33 nM. Two of the compounds showed good activity in vivo in the STIB900 model for acute African trypanosomiasis; one gave 3/4 cures and the other gave 4/4 cures on ip dosage of 20 mg/kg for 4 days. The amidoxime prodrugs of the naphthalene analogues were essentially ineffective.