New benzimidazole derivatives as antiplasmodial agents and plasmepsin inhibitors: Synthesis and analysis of structure–activity relationships
作者:Zafar Saied Saify、M. Kamran Azim、Waseem Ahmad、Mehrun Nisa、Daniel E. Goldberg、Shaheen A. Hussain、Shamim Akhtar、Arfa Akram、Arshad Arayne、Anna Oksman、Ishtiaq A. Khan
DOI:10.1016/j.bmcl.2011.10.018
日期:2012.1
The newly synthesized benzimidazole compounds were suggested to be inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum plasmepsin II and human cathepsin D by virtual screening of an internal library of synthetic compounds. This was confirmed by enzyme inhibition studies that gave IC50 values in the low micromolar range (2-48 mu M). Ligand docking studies with plasmepsin II predicted binding of benzimidazole compounds at the center of the extended substrate-binding cleft. According to the plausible mode of binding, the pyridine ring of benzimidazole compounds interacted with S1' subsite residues whereas the acetophenone moiety was in contact with S1-S3 subsites of plasmepsin II active center. The benzimidazole derivatives were evaluated for capacity to inhibit the growth of intraerythrocytic P. falciparum in culture. Four benzimidazole compounds inhibited parasite growth at <= 3 mu M. The most active compound 10, 1-(4-phenylphenyl)-2[2-(pyridinyl-2-yl)-1,3-benzdiazol-1-yl]ethanone showed an IC50 of 160 nM. The substitution of a phenyl group and a chlorine atom at the para position of the acetophenone moiety were shown to be crucial for antiplasmodial activity. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.