Phenylbenzothiazole derivatives: effects against a Trypanosoma cruzi infection and toxicological profiles

Current treatments for Chagas disease have a limited impact during the chronic stage and trigger severe side effects. Treatments target Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of the disease. The aims of this study were to evaluate the trypanocidal activity of four 2-phenylbenzothiazole derivatives (BZT1–4) in vitro by using the infectious and non-infectious forms of T. cruzi (trypomastigotes and epimastigotes, respectively) and to test the most promising compound (BZT4) in vivo in mice. Additionally, the toxicological profile and possible neuronal damage were examined. In relation to trypomastigotes, BZT4 was more selective and effective than the reference drug (benznidazole) during this infective stage, apparently due to the synergistic action of the CF₃ and COOH substituents in the molecule. During the first few hours post-administration of BZT4, parasitemia decreased by 40% in an in vivo model of short-term treatment, but parasite levels later returned to the basal state. In the long-term assessment, the compound did not produce a significant antiparasitic effect, only attaining a 30% reduction in parasitemia by day 20 with the dose of 16 mg/kg. The toxicity test was based on repeated dosing of BZT4 (administered orally) during 21 days, which did not cause liver damage. However, the compound altered the concentration of proteins and the proteinic profile of neuronal cells in vitro, perhaps leading to an effect on the central nervous system. Further research on the low trypanocidal activity in vivo compared to the better in vitro effect could possibly facilitate molecular redesign to improve trypanocidal activity.