Abstract
Antimalarial candidates possessing novel mechanisms of action are needed to control drug resistant Plasmodium falciparum. We were drawn to Malaria Box compound 1 (MMV665831) by virtue of its excellent in vitro potency, and twelve analogs were prepared to probe its structure-activity relationship. Modulation of the diethyl amino group was fruitful, producing compound 25, which was twice as potent as 1 against cultured parasites. Efforts were made to modify the phenolic Mannich base functionality of 1, to prevent formation of a reactive quinone methide. Homologated analog 28 had reduced potency relative to 1, but still inhibited growth with EC(50) ≤ 200 nM. Thus, the antimalarial activity of 1 does not derive from quinone methide formation. Chemical stability studies on dimethyl analog 2 showed remarkable hydrolytic stability of both the phenolic Mannich base and ethyl ester moieties, and 1 was evaluated for in vivo efficacy in P. berghei-infected mice (40 mg/kg, oral). Unfortunately, no reduction in parasitemia was seen relative to control. These results are discussed in the context of measured plasma and hepatocyte stabilities, with reference to structurally-related, orally-efficacious antimalarials.