Therapeutic Potential of Flavonoid Derivatives for Certain Neglected Tropical Diseases

Abstract

Background: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are infectious diseases that mostly af-fect people living in tropical and subtropical regions, especially in impoverished areas. Ubiquitously found in plants, flavonoids are a group of compounds that have been reported to exhibit a wide range of biological activities against parasites (Leishmania sp., Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei, Brugia malayi, etc.) that cause certain NTDs. Aims: The present study aims to highlight and discuss our recent reports on the implication of fla-vonoids in drug development for NTDs, such as leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, African trypanoso-miasis, filariasis, among others. Results: Today, studies show that flavonoids exhibit in vitro antileishmanial, anti-trypanosomiasis, antifilarial activities, among others. Furthermore, the molecular hybridization of flavonoids with the triazole groups has led to the development of compounds with improved biological activity. The in-corporation of chemical groups, such as NO2, F, and Cl groups, during the process of design and synthesis, leads to the enhancement of pharmacological activity. Conclusion: Flavonoids are useful metabolites that can be prospected as potential leads for the de-velopment of new agents against certain NTDs. However, research opportunities, including cytotox-icity and in vivo studies, mechanisms of action, bioavailability of these compounds, remain to be investigated in the future.