Title:Natural and Synthetic Naphthoquinones as Potential Anti-Infective Agents
Volume: 21
Issue: 22
Author(s): Eyra Ortiz-Pérez, Gildardo Rivera, Cristian O. Salas, Juan J. Zarate-Ramos, Oleksandra S. Trofymchuk, Lucio Hernandez-Soberanis, Juanita D. Perales-Flores and Karina Vázquez*
Affiliation:
- Facultad de Medicina y Veterinaria, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Gral. Escobedo,Mexico
Keywords:
Naphthoquinones, Leishmania spp., Trypanosoma cruzi, Plasmodium falciparum, Toxoplasma gondii, Toxocara
canis.
Abstract:
Background: Naphthoquinones are a class of aromatic compounds relevant for their
chemical characteristics, structural properties, and biological activity. These compounds are found in
nature with a wide range of effects, highlighting their antibacterial, antifungal, and antiprotozoal
properties. Additionally, naphthoquinones are used as a scaffold to obtain new derivatives with pharmacological
potential, mainly compounds against parasitic diseases.
Objective: The purpose of this work was to carry out a comprehensive review of naphthoquinones
and their derivatives obtained from both natural and synthetic sources, also, to analyze their biological
activity against Leishmania spp. (Leishmaniasis), Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas disease), Plasmodium
falciparum (Malaria), Toxoplasma gondii (Toxoplasmosis), and Toxocara canis (Toxocariasis).
All of these agents are responsible for relevant diseases worldwide.
Results: Natural naphthoquinones, such as plumbagin, diospyrin, burmanin, lapachol, lawsone and
psychorubrin, show an antiprotozoal activity similar or enhanced antiprotozoal activity to reference
drugs. Some naphthoquinones obtained by synthesis or semi-synthesis showed better biological activity
or less toxic effects than natural compounds.
Conclusion: In this review, natural and synthetic naphthoquinones showed antiparasitic activity, in
most cases, with improved results than current drugs currently used in clinical trials. A modification
of their structure with different functional groups can enhance their biological effects, improve solubility,
and reduce undesirable side effects. Therefore, naphthoquinones are important molecules in the
development of new chemotherapeutic agents against parasitic diseases.
