Soc. Bras. Química 0103 -5053 $6.00+0.00 trypanocidal activity in compounds with an imidazole or oxazole ring linked to a naphthopyrane structure. Two naphthoimidazoles presented higher activities (14.5x and 34.8x) than the standard crystal violet. Emphasis is given to the biodiversity of the Brazilian flora as a starting point for the development of an autonomous and creative medicinal chemistry.

An intensive effort has been directed toward finding alternative drugs for treatment of Chagas' disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, and prophylaxis of blood in endemic areas. Our research comprises the synthesis and trypanocidal screening of derivatives from naphthoquinones. Herein a new phenazine, obtained from the reaction of beta-lapachone with aniline, has its structure established by physical data and X-ray analysis. It was 9 times more active against T. cruzi trypomastigotes than crystal violet.

organic chemistry, review organic chemistry, review Z 0200 44 -270 Trypanocidal Activity of Isolated Naphthoquinones from Tabebuia and Some Heterocyclic Derivatives: Review from an Interdisciplinary Study -[98 refs.]. -(DE MOURA, KELLY C. G.; EMERY, FLAVIO S.; NEVES-PINTO, CLEVERSON; PINTO, MARIA DO CARMO F. R.; DANTAS, ANDREA P.; SALOMAO, KELLY; DE CASTRO, SOLANGE L.; PINTO, ANTONIO V.; J. Braz. Chem. Soc. 12 (2001) 3, 325-338; Dep. Nucl. Pesquisa Prod. Nat., Univ. Fed. Rio de Janeiro,