We report the synthesis and structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis of a series of hybrid compounds containing a squaric moiety conjugated with heterocyclic moieties from well-known antimalarials. This novel series of compounds presents improved antiplasmodial activity compared with the squaric derivatives described in our previous work. Three compounds, 8b (IC₅₀ = 99 nM), 8c (IC₅₀ = 95 nM), and 8d (IC₅₀ = 105 nM) had greater in vitro potency than chloroquine 1 (IC₅₀ = 140 nM) against chloroquine resistant Plasmodium falciparum. In addition, they were noncytotoxic against NIH 3T3 and Hek 293T cells.
Keywords: 4-Aminoquinoline; Antiplasmodial activity; Hybrid; Malaria; Squaramide.
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