Evaluation of vanillic acid analogues as a new class of antifilarial agents.

A number of vanillic acid analogues (1-14) have been synthesised and evaluated against experimental filarial infections using cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) infected with Litomosoides carinii, a primary screening model, at a dose of 30 mg/kg, ip for 5 days. Of the 8 compounds tested, 4 (5,7, 11 and 12) exhibited high micro- and macro-filaricidal activity with sterilization of surviving female worms. Compounds 5, 7, 12 showed remarkable adulticidal action (> 80%). Sterilization of the female worms by compounds 11 and 12 was highly significant (80-100%).