Acridone compounds

Abstract

A class of acridone compounds has been discovered that exhibits chemosensitizing and antiparasitic activity. Described herein are pharmaceutical compositions and methods for their use to treat parasitic infections, such as malaria and toxoplasmosis, and to sensitize resistant cells, such as multidrug resistant cells to other therapeutic agents. The pharmaceutical compositions and methods may also be used to treat and/or prevent psychotic diseases such as schizophrenia.

1 - 56 . (canceled) 
     
     
         57 . A compound according to the formula 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; 
         wherein R is H, —R 2 NR 3 R 4  or —R 1 G; 
         X is H, halogen, haloalkyl, OR 5  or —YR 1 G; 
         n is 0-4; 
         Y is H, —CH 2 , —CH 2 O—, O, —N(R 6 )— or S; 
         R 5  is lower alkyl, haloalkyl or —R 7 NR 8 R 9 ; 
         R 1 , R 2  and R 7  independently are optionally substituted alkyl; 
         G is —NR 10 R 11 , halogen or fluoroalkyl; 
         R 3 , R 4 , R 6 , R 8  and R 9  independently are H, lower alkyl, or aralkyl; 
         R 10  and R 11  independently are H, lower alkyl, aralkyl or together form an aliphatic or aromatic ring optionally including one or more additional heteroatoms; and 
         when n is 0, R is —R 1 G. 
       
     
     
         58 . A method for inhibiting or treating a parasitic infection in a subject, comprising administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of  claim 57 . 
     
     
         59 . A method for inhibiting the growth of  Plasmodium  sp., comprising contacting at least one  Plasmodium  sp. parasite with a growth inhibitory amount of the compound of  claim 57 .