Therapeutic efficacy of new nitroimidazoles for experimental trichomoniasis, amebiasis, and trypanosomiasis
Cuckler, A.C.; Malanga, C.M.; Conroy, J.
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 19(6): 916-925
1970
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9637 PMID: 4321789 Document Number: 22613
The trichomonicidal, amoebicidal and trypanocidal activities of six nitroimidazoles were assessed in rats and mice. In vitro tests were also carried out for the first two infections. The six compounds were flunidazole, "MF" nitroimidazole, ronidazole, "MCA" nitroimidazole, metronidazole and di-metridazole. The in vitro studies showed similar potency in all six compounds for the inhibition of T. foetus and E. histolytica in cultures. Dimetridazole and flunidazole were the most potent inhibitors of trichomonads, and ronidazole was the most potent for preventing the growth of amoebae in cultures. In mice "MF" nitroimidazole and ronidazole were equally effective against T. foetus infection and superior to metronidazole and flunidazole. "MF" nitroimidazole was the most effective against intestinal amoebiasis in rats and "MCA" nitroimidazole the least potent. Metronidazole had no effect against trypanosomiasis in rats. "MCA" nitroimidazole and ronidazole were the most effective. The studies show how the anti-protozoal spectrum and potency may be greatly altered by minor changes in molecular structure.