Development of the First Oral Bioprecursors of Bis‐alkylguanidine Antimalarial Drugs |
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Authors: | Dr. Mélissa Degardin Dr. Sharon Wein Dr. Jean‐Frédéric Duckert Marjorie Maynadier Dr. Alexandre Guy Dr. Thierry Durand Prof. Roger Escale Dr. Henri Vial Dr. Yen Vo‐Hoang |
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Affiliation: | 1. UMR 5247 CNRS‐UMI‐UMII‐ENSCM, Institut des Biomolecules Max Mousseron (IBMM), Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Université de Montpellier?I/II, 15 Avenue Charles Flahault, 34093 Montpellier (France);2. UMR 5235 CNRS‐UMII, Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, Université de Montpellier?II, Place E. Bataillon–Bat. 24 cc 107, 34095 Montpellier (France) |
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Abstract: | Plasmodium falciparum is responsible of the most severe form of malaria, and new targets and novel chemotherapeutic scaffolds are needed to fight emerging multidrug‐resistant strains of this parasite. Bis‐alkylguanidines have been designed to mimic choline, resulting in the inhibition of plasmodial de novo phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis. Despite potent in vitro antiplasmodial and in vivo antimalarial activities, a major drawback of these compounds for further clinical development is their low oral bioavailability. To solve this issue, various modulations were performed on bis‐alkylguanidines. The introduction of N‐disubstituents on the guanidino motif improved both in vitro and in vivo activities. On the other hand, in vivo pharmacological evaluation in a mouse model showed that the N‐hydroxylated derivatives constitute the first oral bioprecursors in bis‐alkylguanidine series. This study paves the way for bis‐alkylguanidine‐based oral antimalarial agents targeting plasmodial phospholipid metabolism. |
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Keywords: | antimalarial agents antiplasmodial activity bioavailability guanidines malaria prodrug strategies |
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