Design, synthesis, and biochemical evaluation of novel cruzain inhibitors with potential application in the treatment of Chagas' disease.

A series of compounds bearing tetrahydronaphthalene, benzophenone, propiophenone, and related rigid molecular skeletons functionalized with thiosemicarbazone or unsaturated carbonyl moieties were prepared by chemical synthesis and evaluated for their ability to inhibit the enzyme cruzain. As potential treatment agents for Chagas' disease, three compounds from the group demonstrate potent inhibition of cruzain with IC(50) values of 17, 24, and 80 nM, respectively.