Synthesis of Xylitan Derivatives and Preliminary Evaluation of in Vitro Trypanocidal Activity.

A series of novel xylitan derivatives derived from xylitol were synthesized using operationally simple procedures. A xylitan acetonide was the key intermediate used to prepare benzoate, arylsulfonate esters and 1,2,3-triazole derivatives of xylitan. These compounds were evaluated for their in vitro anti- activity against trypomastigote and amastigote forms of the parasite in -infected cell lineages.

Flexible synthesis and evaluation of diverse anti-Apicomplexa cyclic peptides.

A modular approach to synthesize anti-Apicomplexa parasite inhibitors was developed that takes advantage of a pluripotent cyclic tetrapeptide scaffold capable of adjusting appendage and skeletal diversities in only a few steps (one to three steps). The diversification processes make use of selective radical coupling reactions and involve a new example of a reductive carbon-nitrogen cleavage reaction with SmI2. The resulting bioactive cyclic peptides have revealed new insights into structural factors that govern selectivity between Apicomplexa parasites such as Toxoplasma and Plasmodium and human cells.

Effect of 3-alkylpyridine marine alkaloid analogues in Leishmania species related to American cutaneous leishmaniasis.

A series of oxygenated analogues of marine 3-alkylpyridine alkaloids were synthesized, and their leishmanicidal activity was assayed. All compounds were prepared from 3-pyridinepropanol in few steps and in good yields. The key step for the synthesis of these compounds was a classic Williamson etherification under phase-transfer conditions.

Synthesis and evaluation of antimalarial activity of oxygenated 3-alkylpyridine marine alkaloid analogues.

A series of new oxygenated analogues of marine 3-alkylpyridine alkaloids were prepared from 3-pyridinepropanol in few steps and in good yields. The key step for the synthesis of these compounds was a Williamson etherification under phase-transfer conditions. All new compounds were evaluated for their antiplasmodial activity and cytotoxicity.