QSAR guided synthesis of simplified antiplasmodial analogs of naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids

Naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids have attracted considerable interest because of their intriguing structure, their unique biosynthetic origin, and their biological activities against several pathogens causing tropical diseases. Their promising pharmacologic properties make them suitable lead structures for new agents, in particular against malaria. Since these natural products are not easy to isolate in sufficient quantities or to synthesize stereoselectively, quantitative structure–activity relationship studies were accomplished to find new antiplasmodial analogs that are structurally related to the naturally occurring naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids, but more easily accessible, more active against Plasmodium falciparum, and, last but not least, less toxic. We report on the synthesis of several simplified compounds by a Suzuki coupling between the naphthalene and the isoquinoline moieties and on their activities against different pathogens causing infectious diseases. Some structures were found to exhibit excellent – and selective – activities against P. falciparum in vitro.

Graphical abstractStructurally simplified analogs of naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids have been synthesized based on QSAR calculations. Several of these structures showed excellent in vitro activities and selectivities against Plasmodium falciparum.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide