Synthesis of nitro(benzo)thiazole acetamides and in vitro antiprotozoal effect against amitochondriate parasites Giardia intestinalis and Trichomonas vaginalis

We synthesized four 5-nitrothiazole (1–4) and four 6-nitrobenzothiazole acetamides (5–8) using an easy two step synthetic route. All compounds were tested in vitro against amitochondriate parasites Giardia intestinalis and Trichomonas vaginalis, showing excellent antiprotozoal effects. IC50’s of the most potent compounds range from nanomolar to low micromolar order, being more active than their drugs of choice. Compound 1 (IC50 = 122 nM), was 44-times more active than Metronidazole, and 10-fold more effective than Nitazoxanide against G. intestinalis and showed good trichomonicidal activity (IC50 = 2.24 μM). This compound did not display in vitro cytotoxicity against VERO cells. The in vitro inhibitory effect of compounds 1–8 and Nitazoxanide against G. intestinalis fructose-1,6-biphosphate aldolase (GiFBPA) was evaluated as potential drug target, showing a clear inhibitory effect over the enzyme activity. Molecular docking of compounds 1, 4 and Nitazoxanide into the ligand binding pocket of GiFBPA, revealed contacts with the active site residues of the enzyme. Ligand efficiency metrics of 1 revealed optimal combinations of physicochemical and antiprotozoal properties, better than Nitazoxanide.

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