Recent Progress In Antiepileptic Drug Research

Investigation into new anticonvulsant derivatives of alpha-substituted N-benzylamides of gamma-hydroxy- and gamma-acetoxybutyric acid. Part 5: search for new anticonvulsant compounds

A series of four N-benzylamides of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), that contain N-(4-phenylpiperazine)-, N-(4-benzylpiperazine)rings, N-benzylamino-, or N-(2-phenylethylamine)-groups in the alpha-position of GHB were selected as model compounds, for determining the structural elements responsible for their potential anticonvulsant action. Based on the results of pharmacological, physicochemical, and molecular modelling investigations, the pharmacophore model for anticonvulsant N-substituted amides of GHB was defined. In this model, the presence of the N-benzylamide fragment is essential for activity. In addition, all of the amides contained another hydrophobic unit (aryl ring) as a distal binding site and H-bond donor. In consideration of these model parameters, a number of N-substituted amides of GHB, containing a hydrophobic moiety such as: N-benzylamino or N-(4-chlorobenzylamino) group in the alpha-position of GHB, and a lipophilic substituent in the amide portion, were prepared. It has been shown that the anticonvulsant activities of the newly synthesized compounds might partially be explained on the basis of their lipophilicity (calculated log P values) and the presence of a hydroxyl group in the molecule.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of potential anticonvulsants based on 2-piperidinecarboxylic acid and related pharmacophores

Using N-(2,6-dimethyl)phenyl-2-piperidinecarboxamide (1) and N-(alpha-methylbenzyl)-2-piperidinecarboxamide (2) as structural leads, a variety of analogues were synthesised and evaluated for anticonvulsant activity in the MES test in mice. In the N-benzyl series, introduction of 3-Cl, 4-Cl, 3,4-Cl2, or 3-CF3 groups on the aromatic ring led to an increase in MES activity. Replacement of the alpha-methyl group by either i-Pr or benzyl groups enhanced MES activity with no increase in neurotoxicity. Substitution on the piperidine ring nitrogen led to a decrease in MES activity and neurotoxicity, while reduction of the amide carbonyl led to a complete loss of activity. Movement of the carboxamide group to either the 3- or 4-positions of the piperidine ring decreased MES activity and neurotoxicity. Incorporation of the piperidine ring into a tetrahydroisoquinoline or diazahydrinone nucleus led to increased neurotoxicity. In the N-(2,6-dimethyl)phenyl series, opening of the piperidine ring between the 1- and 6-positions gave the active norleucine derivative 75 (ED50=5.8 mgkg(-1), TD50 =36.4 mgkg(-1), PI=6.3). Replacement of the piperidine ring of 1 by cycloalkane (cyclohexane, cyclopentane, and cyclobutane) resulted in compounds with decreased MES activity and neurotoxicity, whereas replacement of the piperidine ring by a 4-pyridyl group led to a retention of MES activity with a comparable PI. Simplification of the 2-piperidinecarboxamide nucleus of 1 into a glycinecarboxamide nucleus led to about a six-fold decrease in MES activity. The 2,6-dimethylanilides were the most potent compounds in the MES test in each group of compounds evaluated, and compounds 50 and 75 should be useful leads in the development of agents for the treatment of tonic-clonic and partial seizures in man.