Substituted N-(biphenyl-4'-yl)methyl (R)-2-acetamido-3-methoxypropionamides: potent anticonvulsants that affect frequency (use) dependence and slow inactivation of sodium channels

J Med Chem. 2014 Jul 24;57(14):6165-82. doi: 10.1021/jm500707r. Epub 2014 Jul 15.

Abstract

We prepared 13 derivatives of N-(biphenyl-4'-yl)methyl (R)-2-acetamido-3-methoxypropionamide that differed in type and placement of a R-substituent in the terminal aryl unit. We demonstrated that the R-substituent impacted the compound's whole animal and cellular pharmacological activities. In rodents, select compounds exhibited excellent anticonvulsant activities and protective indices (PI=TD50/ED50) that compared favorably with clinical antiseizure drugs. Compounds with a polar, aprotic R-substituent potently promoted Na+ channel slow inactivation and displayed frequency (use) inhibition of Na+ currents at low micromolar concentrations. The possible advantage of affecting these two pathways to decrease neurological hyperexcitability is discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anticonvulsants / administration & dosage
  • Anticonvulsants / chemistry*
  • Anticonvulsants / pharmacology*
  • Biphenyl Compounds / administration & dosage
  • Biphenyl Compounds / chemistry
  • Biphenyl Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Molecular Structure
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Seizures / drug therapy*
  • Serine / administration & dosage
  • Serine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Serine / chemistry
  • Serine / pharmacology
  • Sodium / metabolism*
  • Sodium Channel Blockers / administration & dosage
  • Sodium Channel Blockers / chemistry*
  • Sodium Channel Blockers / pharmacology*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Sodium Channel Blockers
  • Serine
  • Sodium