Evaluation of in vitro activity of aurones and related compounds against Cryptosporidium parvum

The efficacy of a series of aurones, auronols and 4-methoxy-alpha -pyrones has been screened for the ability to inhibit the intracellular growth of th e parasitic protist Cryptosporidium parvum using an in vitro enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All aurones of this series were active at 25 t o 100 muM. 10 of 19 aurones; inhibited the intracellular growth of C. parvu m by > 90% with moderate to no toxicity. The most active of these was 3',4' ,6-trihydroxy-2-[phenylmethylene]-3 (2H)-benzofuranone.