Imidazole derivatives as possible microbicides with dual protection

Twenty seven derivatives (2-28) of 2-(2-methyl-5-nitro-1H-imidazol-1-yl)ethanol were synthesized and evaluated for anti-trichomonas, spermicidal and antifungal activities. Twenty six compounds were active against Trichomonas vaginalis at MIC ranging from 1-42 microM and seven compounds (9,18,19,22,24,26,28) immobilized 100% human spermatozoa at 1% concentration (w/v). Twenty three compounds (2,3,5,8-26,28) exhibited antifungal activity at 25-50 microg/mL concentration. Seven compounds (9,18,19,22,24,26,28) showed significant anti-trichomonas and spermicidal activities and also exhibited mild antifungal activity. All the compounds were highly safe towards human cervical cell line (HeLa) as shown by the cell-viability assay of HeLa cells at 200 microg/mL concentration, whereas nonoxynol-9 (N-9, the marketed spermicidal microbicide) was highly cytotoxic. Therefore, it may be concluded that introduction of the pharmacophore responsible for spermicidal activity into a proven anti-trichomonas structure may lead to a potent dual function microbicide better and safer than N-9.