Leishmanicidal activity of new megazol derivatives.

A series of thirteen new megazol derivatives, designed exploring the molecular hybridization approach between megazol (3) and heterocombretastatins (2), was synthesized. These new compounds were tested for in vitro antiparasitic activity upon axenic amastigotes of Leishmania donovani. Biological results led us to identify a new potent megazol derivative (4g), which presents an IC50 = 0.081 mu g/mL, more active tham the reference drug miltefosine (IC50 = 0.131 mu g/mL).