Manganese(II) complexes with N4-methyl-4-nitrobenzaldehyde, N4-methyl-4-nitroacetofenone, and N4-methyl-4-nitrobenzophenone thiosemicarbazone: Investigation of in vitro activity against Trypanosoma cruzi

Thiosemicarbazones are known to be active against different pathogenic microorganisms including Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. In the search for new therapeutic drugs against this illness, the complexes [Mn(H4NO2Fo4M)2Cl2] (1), [Mn(H4NO2Ac4M)2Cl2] (2) and [Mn(H4NO2Bz4M)2Cl2] (3) of N4-methyl-4-nitrobenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (H4NO2Fo4M), N4-methyl-4-nitroacetophenone thiosemicarbazone (H4NO2Ac4M) and N4-methyl-4-nitrobenzophenone thiosemicarbazone (H4NO2Bz4M) were obtained and screened in vitro against bloodstream and intracellular forms of T. cruzi. H4NO2Fo4M, H4NO2Ac4M and their Mn(II) complexes displayed poor effect on bloodstream trypomastigotes, with IC50 values ranging from 68 to >200 μM. However, although H4NO2Bz4M was also not active, its corresponding Mn(II) complex presented high effect on this T. cruzi form, with an IC50 value of 19 μM. The effect of complex (3), against trypomastigotes of T. cruzi supports further in vitro as well as in vivo studies.

The effect of thiosemicarbazones metal complexes on T. cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, suggests that these compounds may represent promissory trypanocidal agents.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide