Synthesis, characterization, antiplasmodial and antitrypanosomal activity of some metal(III) complexes of sulfadiazine

The Fe(III), Ru(III), Rh(III), and Cr(III) complexes of 4-amino-N-(2-pyrimidinyl)benzene sulfonamide (sulfadiazine) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, electronic and IR spectroscopy, conductance and room temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements. Sulfadiazine acts as a bidentate ligand through the sulfonamido and the pyrimidinic N-atoms. The compounds are non-electrolytes and the electronic spectra are consistent with the proposed octahedral geometry around the metal ions. The complexes were tested for in vitro activity against cultures of the resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum, tripamastigotes T. b. rhodesiense and amastigotes L. donovani to determine their antiprotozoal activities. The Fe(III) complex is more active than the other complexes against the parasitic protozoa. KEY WORDS: Metal complexes, Sulfadiazine, Parasites, Protozoa, Drug resistance Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2008, 22(2), 261-268.