Antiparasitic Nitroimidazoles: 6. The Metabolism and Excretion of Some 2-Styryl-5-nitroimidazoles

Abstract

1. The metabolism and excretion of several 2-styryl-5-nitroimidazoles, which have shown interesting antiparasitic activity in laboratory animals, is described.

2. Species differences have been observed in the formation of metabolites by oxidation of the alkyl group of the styryl nucleus.

3. Some of these metabolites possess greater anti-trypanosomal activity than the parent compounds.

4. No evidence was found for reduction of the nitro group on the imidazole nucleus.