The purpose of this study was to evaluate the stereoselective pain relieving (antiallodynic) activity, antiallodynic-anticonvulsant correlation, teratogenicity and pharmacokinetic profile of two stereoisomers of valnoctamide (VCD), a CNS-active amide derivative of a chiral isomer of valproic acid (VPA). The individual stereoisomers (diastereomers), (2R,3S)-VCD and (2S,3S)-VCD were synthesized and their antiallodynic activity was evaluated in rats using the spinal nerve ligation model of neuropathic pain. The pharmacokinetic profile of the two stereoisomers was evaluated in rats following: 1) i.p. administration of racemic-VCD, 2) i.p. administration of the individual stereoisomers (2R,3S)-VCD and (2S,3S)-VCD. Teratogenicity of racemic-VCD and its two individual stereoisomers was evaluated in a SWV mouse strain known to be highly susceptible to VPA-induced teratogenicity. Racemic-VCD, (2R,3S)-VCD and (2S,3S)-VCD showed a dose-related reversal of tactile allodynia with ED(50) values of 52, 61 and 39 mg/kg, respectively. (2S,3S)-VCD was significantly more potent than (2R,3S)-VCD but the opposite is true for its anticonvulsant-effect. In the teratogenicity evaluation racemic-VCD and its two individual stereoisomers showed mild embryotoxicity at doses 7-10 times higher than their antiallodynic-ED(50) values, while (2S,3S)-VCD was significantly less embryotoxic than (2R,3S)-VCD and racemic-VCD. Following administration of the racemic-VCD there was an increase in the primary pharmacokinetic parameters of (2S,3S)-VCD but not of (2R,3S)-VCD. This study demonstrates that both racemic-VCD and its stereoisomers show high potency as antiallodynic compounds and possess a wide safety margin. (2S,3S)-VCD is more potent and less embryotoxic than (2R,3S)-VCD and thus, has a potential to become a candidate for development as a new drug for treating neuropathic pain.
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