A high-throughput colorimetric and fluorometric microassay for the evaluation of nitroimidazole derivatives anti-trichomonas activity

Several nitroimidazole derivatives were synthesized and tested as possible trichomonicidal agents. A fast, simple, practical and reliable in vitro colorimetric method was applied to the screening of the nitroimidazole derivatives anti-trichomonas activity. The colorimetric technique was based on the use of Alamar blue as a redox-indicator. The test was carried out both qualitatively (minimal inhibitory concentration determined by naked eye observation) and quantitatively (fluorometric determination of 50% and 90% inhibitory concentrations), the latter took advantage of the dye fluorometric properties. The performance of the method was excellent affording an exactitude ⩾97.86% and a reproducibility of 95% and no interference of the trichomonas-culture medium was observed during the test. Some of the nitroimidazole compounds tested showed a fair trichomonicidal activity, however none of them was as active as the model compound, metronidazole.