Synthesis, In Vitro Antimalarial Evaluation, ADMET Properties, and Molecular Docking Studies of Novel Thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidine Derivatives

Abstract

A series of novel (Z)-N′-(1-(aryl)ethylidene)-6-cyano-5-imino-3-methyl-7-(methylthio)-5Hthiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidine-2-carbohydrazide derivatives was synthesized. All the synthesized compounds were investigated for antimalarial efficacy against Plasmodium falciparum parasite. It was found that, of all tested compound with 4-Cl and 2,4-Cl substituents in aromatic ring exhibited an excellent activity. Molecular docking analysis of the significantly active compounds was performed using PfDHFR enzyme. Compound with 4-Cl substituent demonstrates a binding energy of –9.0 kcal/mol, while that with 2,4-Cl substituent exhibits a binding energy of –9.3 kcal/mol. An analysis of their physicochemical and pharmacokinetics properties related to ADMET was also carried out for all the synthesized molecules.