Abstract: Inhibitors directed at enzymes of the pentose phosphate pathway of protozoan parasites, e.g., Trypanosoma cruzi glucokinase, are described. Inhibitors are derivatives of gossypol (2,2?-Bis(formyl-1,6,7-trihydroxy-5-isopropyl-3-methylnaphthalene). The inhibitors can specifically target glucokinase and hexokinase of Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei), and Leishmania spp. and are useful in treatment of parasitic diseases including Chagas' disease and African sleeping sickness, among others.

Abstract: Colorimetric based high-throughput assay systems are described that utilize colorimetric agents that exhibit both high water solubility characteristics in both an oxidized and a reduced state and exhibit intense UV/vis absorption in only one of the oxidized or reduced states, with absorption in the other state being either non-existent or very low. Disclosed assays are useful in examining the efficacy of enzyme inhibitors, including helicase or kinase inhibitors.

Abstract: Compounds discovered through a high-throughput screen, along with methods of use of the compounds, are provided. The compounds can be used to strongly inhibit key drug targets found in protozoan parasites, e.g., the target Trypanosoma cruzi glucokinase. Compounds include derivatives of N-phenylbenzenesulfonamide, barbituric acid, (R)-3-(piperidin-2-yl)pyridine, 3-nitro-2-phenyl-2H-chromene, 6-amino-3-methyl-4-phenyl-1,4-dihydropryranole[2,3-c]pyrazole-5-carbonitrile, and gossypol (2,2?-Bis(formyl-1,6,7-trihydroxy-5-isopropyl-3-methylnaphthalene).

Abstract: Compounds are generally provided, along with pharmaceutical compositions including such compounds. Methods are also generally provided for inhibiting ribose 5-phosphate isomerase in a human, such as via administering to the human the pharmaceutical composition that includes such a compound. Methods are also generally provided for treating a mammal that is infected by a parasitic organism, such as via administering to the mammal the pharmaceutical composition that includes such a compound. Methods are also generally provided for forming a pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: Compounds discovered through a high-throughput screen, along with methods of use of the compounds, are provided. The compounds can be used to strongly inhibit key drug targets found in protozoan parasites, e.g., the target Trypanosoma cruzi glucokinase. Compounds include derivatives of N-phenylbenzenesulfonamide, barbituric acid, (R)-3-(piperidin-2-yl)pyridine, 3-nitro-2-phenyl-2H-chromene, 6-amino-3-methyl-4-phenyl-1,4-dihydropryranole[2,3-c]pyrazole-5-carbonitrile, and gossypol (2,2?-Bis(formyl-1,6,7-trihydroxy-5-isopropyl-3-methylnaphthalene).

Abstract: Compounds are generally provided, along with pharmaceutical compositions including such compounds. Methods are also generally provided for inhibiting ribose 5-phosphate isomerase in a human, such as via administering to the human the pharmaceutical composition that includes such a compound. Methods are also generally provided for treating a mammal that is infected by a parasitic organism, such as via administering to the mammal the pharmaceutical composition that includes such a compound. Methods are also generally provided for forming a pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: Compounds are generally provided, along with pharmaceutical compositions including such compounds. Methods are also generally provided for inhibiting ribose 5-phosphate isomerase in a human, such as via administering to the human the pharmaceutical composition that includes such a compound. Methods are also generally provided for treating a mammal that is infected by a parasitic organism, such as via administering to the mammal the pharmaceutical composition that includes such a compound. Methods are also generally provided for forming a pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: Methods for treating a mammal that is infected by a parasitic organism are provided, along with pharmaceutical compositions and compounds. The method includes administering to the mammal the pharmaceutical composition of FIG. 1, where: R1, R2, R3, and R4 comprises, independently, H, OH, NH2, SH, a halogen, or an organic group or a derivative thereof; X1 is O, NH, CH2, or S; m is 0 or 1; X2 comprises an organic linkage, such as CH2; n is an integer from 0 to 10; and R5 comprises an aromatic organic group.

Abstract: Compounds are generally provided, along with pharmaceutical compositions including such compounds. Methods are also generally provided for inhibiting ribose 5-phosphate isomerase in a human, such as via administering to the human the pharmaceutical composition that includes such a compound. Methods are also generally provided for treating a mammal that is infected by a parasitic organism, such as via administering to the mammal the pharmaceutical composition that includes such a compound. Methods are also generally provided for forming a pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: Methods for treating a mammal that is infected by a parasitic organism are provided, along with pharmaceutical compositions and compounds. The method includes administering to the mammal the pharmaceutical composition of FIG. 1, where: R1, R2, R3, and R4 comprises, independently, H, OH, NH2, SH, a halogen, or an organic group or a derivative thereof; X1 is O, NH, CH2, or S; m is 0 or 1; X2 comprises an organic linkage, such as CH2; n is an integer from 0 to 10; and R5 comprises an aromatic organic group.