Guanylthiourea derivatives as potential antimalarial agents: Synthesis, in vivo and molecular modelling studies

Eur J Med Chem. 2017 Jul 28:135:339-348. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.04.022. Epub 2017 Apr 21.

Abstract

Guanylthiourea (GTU) derivatives were identified as possible anti-malarial agents, recently, using in vitro studies on Plasmodium falciparum. This article gives an account of the in vivo anti-malarial activity of GTU derivatives against experimental rodent malaria. A total of 20 synthesized GTU derivatives were evaluated for in vivo antimalarial activity, out of which six showed encouraging results; one compound appeared to have curative potential. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics analysis were carried out to understand the molecular level interactions.

Keywords: Anti-malarials; Curative agent; Guanylthiourea; In vivo testing; Molecular docking; PfDHFR.

MeSH terms

  • Antimalarials / chemical synthesis
  • Antimalarials / chemistry
  • Antimalarials / pharmacology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Guanylthiourea / chemical synthesis
  • Guanylthiourea / chemistry
  • Guanylthiourea / pharmacology*
  • Malaria / drug therapy*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Parasitic Sensitivity Tests
  • Plasmodium falciparum / drug effects*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Antimalarials
  • Guanylthiourea