Design, synthesis and evaluation of new tricyclic endoperoxides as potential antiplasmodial agents.

Diastereoselective autoxidation allowed preparation of new tricyclic endoperoxides. These compounds and their methylated analogs were evaluated against the in vitro growth of Plasmodium falciparum, the malaria-causing parasite, showing moderate activities. However, hybrid molecules composed of the tricyclic peroxide moiety and 7-chloro-4-aminoquinoline were synthesized and displayed a marked increase in antiplasmodial activity.