Antimalarial activity of new ethers and thioethers of dihydroartemisinin

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0223-5234(96)88287-0

Various ethers and thioethers of dihydroartemisinin were prepared by treating dihydroartemisinin with hydroxy alkyl, substituted phenol, hydroxy aralkyl, hydroxy alkynyl and hydroxy heteroalkyl or thiols in the presence of BF3Et2O.The thioethers 64 and 65 were further oxidised to the respective sulfoxides.These derivatives were tested in the Plasmodium berghei K-173-infected mice and some active compounds were tested in chloroquine-resistant P yoelii nigeriensis (NS)-infected mice.Initially the compounds were administered subcutaneously and subsequently by the oral route.The antimalarial activity of the compounds 22, 23, 36, 66 and 79 were found to be comparable to that of arteether when tested in the K-173-infected mice.These compounds also showed activity in the P y nigieriensis (NS)-infected mice.Antimalarial activity / artemisinin / dihydroartemisinin / ether / thioether