Ligand-based design, synthesis and biochemical evaluation of potent and selective inhibitors of Schistosoma mansoni dihydroorotate dehydrogenase

Abstract Schistosomiasis ranks second only to malaria as the most common parasitic disease worldwide. 700 million people are at risk and 240 million are already infected. Praziquantel is the anthelmintic of choice but decreasing efficacy has already been documented. In this work, we exploited the inhibition of Schistosoma mansoni dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (SmDHODH) as a strategy to develop new therapeutics to fight schistosomiasis. A series of quinones (atovaquone derivatives and precursors) was evaluated regarding potency and selectivity against both SmDHODH and human DHODH. The best compound identified is 17 (2-hydroxy-3-isopentylnaphthalene-1,4-dione) with IC 50  = 23 ± 4 nM and selectivity index of 30.83. Some of the new compounds are useful pharmacological tools and represent new lead structures for further optimization.