Nifurtimox

Nifurtimox is a nitrofurane derivative antiprotozoal that shows anti Trypanosoma cruzi activity through bioreduction of the nitro-group and dependence on redox cycling with O₂. When used in combination with Buthionine Sulfoximine, Nifurtimox has displayed increased toxicity toward the epimastigote, trypomastigote, and amastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. In the mammary tissue of female Sprague-Dawley rats Nifurtimox was observed, in a purine dependent manner, to biotransform to xanthine-oxioreductase in the cytosol. This activity can be inhibited by Allopurinol. The compound has also gone under the same transformation in the presence of NADPH and inhibited partially by Diphenyleneiodonium chloride (sc-202584) and completely by carbon monoxide.