Synthesis and Antiplasmodial Activity of 1,2,3-Triazole-Naphthoquinone Conjugates

Abstract

A series of 34 1,2,3-triazole-naphthoquinone conjugates were synthesized via copper-catalyzed cycloaddition (CuAAC). They were evaluated for their in vitro antimalarial activity against chloroquine-sensitive strains of <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> and against three different tumor cell lines (SKBr-3, MCF-7, HEL). The most active antimalarial compounds showed a low antiproliferative activity. Simplified analogues were also obtained and some structure-activity relationships were outlined. The best activity was obtained by compounds <b>3s</b> and <b>3j,</b> having IC₅₀ of 0.8 and 1.2 μM, respectively. Molecular dockings were also carried on Plasmodium falciparum enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (<i>Pf</i>DHODH) in order to rationalize the results.