Green Synthesis of Molecules for the Treatment of Neglected Diseases

Abstract

Abstract: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affect mainly poor and marginalized populations of tropical and subtropical areas in 150 countries. Many of the chemical processes involved in the syn-thesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are highly polluting and inefficient, both in terms of materials and energy-consuming. In this review, we present the green protocols developed in the last 10 years to access new small molecules with potential applications in the treatment of leishma-nia, tuberculosis, malaria, and Chagas disease. The use of alternative and efficient energy sources, like microwaves and ultrasound, as well as reactions using green solvents and solvent-free proto-cols, are discussed in this review.