Polyamines with N-(3-phenylpropyl) substituents are effective competitive inhibitors of trypanothione reductase and trypanocidal agents.

Several N-(3-phenylpropyl)-substituted spermidine and spermine derivatives were prepared and found to be potent competitive inhibitors of Trypanosoma cruzi trypanothione reductase (seven compounds with Ki values < 5 microM are described). The most effective inhibitor studied was compound 12 with a Ki value of 0.151 microM. Six of the compounds described are also effective trypanocides with IC50 values < 1 microM.