Pelizaro BI, Batista JCZ, Portapilla GB, das Neves AR, Silva F, Carvalho DB, Shiguemoto CYK, Pessatto LR, Paredes-Gamero EJ, Cardoso IA, Luccas PH, Nonato MC, Lopes NP, Galvão F, Oliveira KMP, Cassemiro NS, Silva DB, Piranda EM, Arruda CCP, de Albuquerque S, and Baroni ACM
A series of 28 compounds, 3-nitro-1 H -1,2,4-triazole, were synthesized by click-chemistry with diverse substitution patterns using medicinal chemistry approaches, such as bioisosterism, Craig-plot, and the Topliss set with excellent yields. Overall, the analogs demonstrated relevant in vitro antitrypanosomatid activity. Analog 15g (R 1 = 4-OCF 3 -Ph, IC 50 = 0.09 μM, SI = >555.5) exhibited an outstanding antichagasic activity ( Trypanosoma cruzi , Tulahuen LacZ strain) 68-fold more active than benznidazole (BZN, IC 50 = 6.15 μM, SI = >8.13) with relevant selectivity index, and suitable LipE = 5.31. 15g was considered an appropriate substrate for the type I nitro reductases (TcNTR I), contributing to a likely potential mechanism of action for antichagasic activity. Finally, 15g showed nonmutagenic potential against Salmonella typhimurium strains (TA98, TA100, and TA102). Therefore, 3-nitro-1 H -1,2,4-triazole 15g is a promising antitrypanosomatid candidate for in vivo studies.