Aryloxyacetic esters structurally related to a-Asarone as potential antifungal agents

Abstract

A series of aryloxyacetic ester analogues 8–13 was synthesized based on the potential pharmacophores of the antifungal agents a-Asarone (1) and 2–5. Their antifungal activity was tested in vitro for their growth inhibitory activities against pathogenic fungi. The in vitro antifungal evaluation of these alkyl and aryl esters shows that derivatives 10 displayed the highest antifungal and fungicidal activities against Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii. These results support the idea that the phenoxyacetic frame is a potent pharmacophore for the design of potential antifungal drugs.