Synthesis and leishmanicidal activity of 2,3,4-substituted-5-imidazolones.

Twenty-nine imidazolones 1-29 were synthesized and were randomly screened for their in vitro anti-leishmanial potential. Compound 17 showed a good anti-leishmanial activity with an IC50 value of 12.98 +/- 0.32 microg/mL. Compounds 14 and 24 were also found to be moderately active (IC50 values 28.20 +/- 0.03 and 41.12 +/- 0.32 microg/mL, respectively). The activity was compared with that of standard drugs, amphotericin B (IC50 = 0.12 +/- 0.41 microg/mL) and pentamidine (IC50 = 2.56 +/- 0.10 microg/mL).