In vitro antiplasmodial activity of triazole-linked chloroquinoline derivatives synthesized from 7-chloro-N-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)quinolin-4-amine

Abstract The synthesis and in vitro evaluation of novel triazole-linked chloroquinoline derivatives as potential antiplasmodial agents against Plasmodium falciparum is reported. The 15 synthesized target compounds were obtained by means of a copper(I)-mediated click reaction between a variety of 1,2- and 1,3-azidoamines and 7-chloro- N -(prop-2-yn-1-yl)quinolin-4-amine in moderate to good yields (53–85%). The compounds were screened for antiplasmodial activity against NF54 chloroquine-sensitive and Dd2 chloroquine-resistant strains, alongside chloroquine and artesunate as reference compounds. Six of the test compounds revealed a 3–5 fold increase in antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine-resistant strain Dd2 compared to chloroquine. Among the six compounds with good antiplasmodial activity, a reduced cross-resistance relative to artesunate (>3 fold in comparison to chloroquine) was observed, mainly in derivatives that incorporated chloroquine-resistance reversing pharmacophores. A general trend for reduced chloroquine cross-resistance was also detected among 12 out of the 15 compounds tested.