Laboratory Studies of the Chemotherapeutic Activity and Toxicity of Some Nitroheterocycles

AbstractThe chemotherapeutic activity and the toxicity of some nitroheterocycles used in antiparasitic therapy (aminitrozole, 2-α-thenoylamino-5-nitrothiazole, niridazole, furazolidone, nifuratel and metronidazole) were compared in laboratory tests. Metronidazole appeared as the most active compound against trichomoniasis and amoebiasis and had in addition the widest safety margin; it also had the highest therapeutic index against lambliasis. Niridazole while showing activity against these protozoa had a less favourable therapeutic index but was the only one which was very active against bilharziasis. Furazolidone appeared as a specially good antibacterial agent with a good activity against Iambliasis. Aminitrozole showed a wide spectrum of activity; its safety margin was slightly lower, however. The other two (2-α-thenoylamino-5-nitrothiazole and nifuratel) were less active and showed a narrower spectrum of activity.