Chemotherapeutically active nitro compounds. 4. 5-Nitroimidazoles (Part I)

More than 135 new 2-methyl-5-nitroimidazoles substituted in 1-position and 1-methyl-5-nitroimidazoles substituted in 2-position were investigated for their activity against various protozoan species, in particular Entamoeba histolytica in the golden hamster, Trichomonas fetus, Trypanosoma brucei and T. cruzi in the NMRI mouse. Among the nitroimidazoles substituted in the 1-position only two preparations exhibited a similar effect as metronidazole preparations exhibited a similar effect as metronidazole against T. fetus. In the class of the nitroimidazoles substituted in the 2-position 16 compounds were as effective as metronidazole, 19 showed an effect superior to metronidazole, 1 was as good as tinidazole and 2 exhibited an activity superior to tinidazole against T. fetus. Only few compounds displayed any amoebicidal activity. Of the mono and bis-hydrazones of 1-methyl-5-nitroimidazole-2-aldehyde substituted in the 2-position 3 compounds had an amoebicidal effect 2 to 8 times stronger than that of metronidazole. Only few representatives of the 1-methyl-5-nitroimidazoles substituted in the 2-position produced a useful trypanocidal effect when given in relatively high doses. The structure-activity relationship of 5-nitroimidazole derivatives has been discussed.