Organometallics in Medicinal Chemistry: Antiparasitic Agents

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) encompass a diverse group of 20 medical conditions triggered by various pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and parasitic worms. Diseases caused by parasitic protozoa and parasitic worms show the highest incidence worldwide. NTDs predominantly afflict impoverished communities in tropical regions, although some exhibit a broader geographic reach. It is estimated that over 1 billion people suffer from NTDs, spanning 149 countries. Additionally, malaria is caused by protozoa of the genus Plasmodium and is highly prevalent in similar geographic regions. New drugs are urgently needed for the treatment of these diseases. In the last decades, various research groups have endeavored to develop organometallic compounds with potential applications as drugs against malaria and NTDs diseases caused by trypanosomatid parasites and parasitic helminths. This perspective highlights selected efforts from these groups in the pursuit of innovative therapeutic solutions. Relevant bioorganometallic compounds belonging to the typical classes of metallocenes, “half sandwich” M-arenes and metal carbonyls will be particularly described.

Keywords:
organometallics; neglected diseases; malaria; trypanosomatid parasites; parasitic helminths