Structure–Activity Relationship Studies and Plasmodium Life Cycle Profiling Identifies Pan-Active N‑Aryl-3-trifluoromethyl Pyrido­[1,2‑a]­benzimidazoles Which Are Efficacious in an in Vivo Mouse Model of Malaria

Structure–activity relationship studies involving N-aryl-3-trifluoromethyl pyrido­[1,2-a]­benzimidazoles (PBI) identified several compounds possessing potent in vitro activities against the asexual blood, liver, and gametocyte stages of the Plasmodium parasite with no cross-resistance to chloroquine. Frontrunner lead compounds with good in vitro absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) profiles were subjected to in vivo proof-of-concept studies in NMRI mice harboring the rodent P. berghei infection. This led to the identification of compounds 10 and 49, effecting 98% and 99.93% reduction in parasitemia with mean survival days of 12 and 14, respectively, at an oral dose of 4 × 50 mg/kg. In vivo pharmacokinetics studies on 10 revealed slow absorption, low volume of distribution, and low clearance profiles. Furthermore, this series displayed a low propensity to inhibit the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) potassium ion channel whose inhibition is associated with cardiotoxicity.