Potential trypanocidal activity of glycerol analogues

Glycerol, a versatile and ubiquitous compound, plays a vital role in a plethora of metabolic pathways in both prokaryotes and eukarotyes. Relatively few glycerol analogues have previously been explored for their use as glycerol kinase inhibitors, in addition to their therapeutic potential, however their use as (pro)-drugs in the context of parasitic diseases such as trypanosomiasis is unreported. The literature on glycerol metabolism and particular its synergic anti-profilation behaviour with salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM) in Trypanosoma brucei is extensive. However, utiliation of glycerol analogues has not been explored as possible superior combinatory compounds. This report describes the synthesis of various glycerol analogues and their subsequent biochemical pheotypic analysis for their effect on lipid metabolism and their possible synergic activity with SHAM on Trypanosoma brucei. The glycerol analogues caused morphological changes;, including detached flagella, cytokinesis defects and ‘big-eye’ phenotype. All four compounds either matched or marginally increased the toxicity of SHAM when used in combination against Trypanosoma brucei. However, the compounds exhibited mostly an antagonistic relationship with SHAM rather than synergistic. This research highlights the potential of small molecule glycerol analogues for their combination use with SHAM for the treatment of parasitic disease, such as trypanosomiasis.