Synthetic UDP-furanoses inhibit the growth of the parasite Leishmania.

The chemical synthesis of UDP-6-NHAc-6-deoxy-Galf was performed and it led to the isolation of both pure anomers. They were then evaluated together with the previously prepared UDP-furanoses for their anti-parasitic properties against Leishmania donovani promastigotes, one of the agents responsible for visceral leishmaniasis. Amongst them, the unnatural 1,2-trans UDP-6-NHAc-Galf demonstrated a high potency in inhibiting the growth of the parasite.