ACTIVITY OF N,N-DIMETHY-1-2-PROPEN-1-AMINE DERIVATIVES IN MICE EXPERIMENTALLY INFECTED WITH TRYPANOSOMA-CRUZI

Propenamine derivatives ,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl)-3-(4-X-phenyl)-N,N-dimethy l-2- propen-1-amine (where X = H or Br) were tested in experimentally infected mice with Trypanosoma cruzi (Y strain). When a daily dose of 20 mg kg(-1) of the bromo (X = Br) derivative for 9 consecutive days w as used, no parasite by optical microscopy was found. Significant para sitemic decrease was also observed with a single dose (100 mg kg(-1)) of this compound. Moreover, both treatment schemes displayed a strong protective effect characterized by decreased of mortality. On the othe r hand, similar treatment schedules using the unsubstituted (X = H) de rivative led to parasitemic and mortality curves similar to the contro l group. These results indicate that the bromo derivative has a remark able activity against T. cruzi infection. Due to the potentiality of t his derivative, further investigation of this class of compounds as ch emotherapeutic agents for Chagas' disease is of prime importance. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.