Synthesis, anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity and micelle interaction studies of bisguanylhydrazones analogous to pentamidine.

Three new bisguanylhydrazones analogous to pentamidine were synthesized, fully characterized and tested as anti-Trypanosoma cruzi candidates. Contrary to literature reports, that bicationic compounds are more active than monocationic compounds against Trypanosoma brucei, it was found that these bisguanylhydrazones are much less effective against T. cruzi than simple aromatic monoguanylhydrazones, thus suggesting different mechanism of action for both parasites. Spin-spin nuclear relaxation studies of the interaction of these compounds with SDS and CTAB micelles showed that only the most trypanocidal compound displays significant discrimination between anionic and cationic micelles.