Structure-Based Virtual Screening of New Benzoic Acid Derivatives as Trypanosoma cruzi Trans-sialidase Inhibitors.

Background: Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, represents a worldwide epidemiological, economic, and social problem. In the last decades, the trans-sialidase enzyme of Trypanosoma cruzi has been considered an attractive target for the development of new agents with potential trypanocidal activity.

Objective: In this work, the aim was to find new potential non-sugar trans-sialidase inhibitors using benzoic acid as a scaffold.