Abstract

This work presents the development of analytical methodologies by UV spectrophotometry and HPLC to characterize five nitroarylbenzimidazole derivatives with activity against Trypanosoma cruzi: NB, BNB, PNB, PMNB and PCNB. Both methodologies exhibit adequate repeatabilities and reproducibilities (CV < 2%) and recoveries higher than 98%. The ionization constants (pKa), lipophilicity (log P) and effective permeability (Pe) are reported. The five compounds present an inhibitory effect on the T. cruzi growth (epimastigotes) at 1-100 μM concentration range in an order rank of PMNB > PCNB > PNB > BNB > NB. Additionally, cyclic voltammetric data reveal that the nitroarylbenzimidazole derivatives might sustain their effects on growth and oxygen uptake on T. cruzi epimastigotes. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.