A nitroimidazole-based hypoxic cell-radiation sensitizer and anti-infective against Trichomonas vaginalis.

Nimorazole is a nitroimidazole-based hypoxic cell-radiation sensitizer with less toxicity than etanidazole or misonidazole. Under low oxygen (hypoxic) condition, reductive activation of its 5-nitroimidazole moiety leads to enhanced adduct formation with reduced glutathione, which form the basis of cancer/tumour-selective radiation sensitization. Nimorazole is also a known anti-infective agent against trichomoniasis, an infectious disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis.