Novel Thioethers of Dihydroartemisinin Exhibiting Their Biological Activities

Eleven conjugates between dihydroartemisinin (DHA) with thiols containing both ether and thioether bonds were designed, synthesized by a two-step procedure including etherification S-alkylation. Analysis of the NMR spectral data indicated that dimer DHA 6-mercaptopurine 2-mercaptoimidazole was produced yields 31% 62%, respectively. Furthermore, tautomerization thiol 5-methoxy-2-mercaptobenzimidazole led to formation mixture two isomers in which they might be interchangeable through dynamic tautomeric equilibrium solution. Screening vitro biological activities revealed most showed good cytotoxic anti-inflammatory activity, while three them displayed α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Notably, 5d 5e 2-mercaptopyrimidine 2-mercaptobenzothiazole had an effect all tested conjugate is potent.