Pharmacological potential of new metronidazole/eugenol/dihydroeugenol hybrids against Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro and in vivo

•New metronidazole/eugenol hybrids were tested against Trypanosoma cruzi infection.•The hybrids exhibited low cytotoxicity and attenuated cardiomyocytes infection in vitro.•The hybrids attenuated T. cruzi antioxidant defenses and increased parasite's oxidative susceptibility.•The hybrids were not hepatotoxic, attenuated blood parasitism and myocarditis in mice.•Metronidazole/eugenol hybridization is a relevant therapeutic strategy against T. cruzi.