Pure compound screening has identified the dioxothiazino-quinoline-quinone ascidian metabolite ascidiathiazone A ( 2) to be a moderate growth inhibitor of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (IC 50 3.1 μM) and Plasmodium falciparum (K1 dual drug resistant strain) (IC 50 3.3 μM) while exhibiting low levels of cytotoxicity (L6, IC 50 167 μM). A series of C-7 amide and Δ 2(3) analogues were prepared that explored the influence of lipophilicity and oxidation state on observed anti-protozoal activity and selectivity. Little variation in anti-malarial potency was observed (IC 50 0.62–6.5 μM), and no correlation was apparent between anti-malarial and anti- T. brucei activity. Phenethylamide 7e and Δ 2(3)-glycine analogue 8k exhibited similar anti- Pf activity to 2 but with slightly enhanced selectivity (SI 72 and 93, respectively), while Δ 2(3)-phenethylamide 8e (IC 50 0.67 μM, SI 78) exhibited improved potency and selectivity towards T. brucei rhodesiense compared to the natural product hit. A second series of analogues were prepared that replaced the quinoline ring of 2 with benzofuran or benzothiophene moieties. While esters 10a/ 10b and 15 were once again found to exhibit cytotoxicity, carboxylic acid analogues exhibited potent anti- Pf activity (IC 50 0.34–0.035 μM) combined with excellent selectivity (SI 560–4000). In vivo evaluation of a furan carboxylic acid analogue against P. berghei was undertaken, demonstrating 85.7% and 47% reductions in parasitaemia with ip or oral dosing respectively.
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