Design, Synthesis, and Pharmacological Evaluation of Novel β2/3 Subunit-Selective γ-Aminobutyric Acid Type A (GABA) Receptor Modulators.

Subunit-selective modulation of γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors (GABAR) is considered to exert fewer side effects compared to unselective clinically used drugs. Here, the β2/3 subunit-selective GABAR modulators valerenic acid (VA) and loreclezole (LOR) guided the synthesis of novel subunit-selective ligands with simplified structures. We studied their effects on GABARs expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes using two-microelectrode voltage clamp technique. Five compounds showed significantly more efficacious modulation of GABA-evoked currents than VA and LOR with retained potency and selectivity. Compound 18 [( E)-2-Cyano-3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)but-2-enamide] induced the highest maximal modulation of GABA-induced chloride currents ( E: 3114 ± 242%), while 12 [( Z)-3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)but-2-enenitrile] displayed the highest potency (EC: 13 ± 2 μM). Furthermore, in hippocampal neurons 12 facilitated phasic and tonic GABAergic inhibition, and in vivo studies revealed significantly more potent protection against pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures compared to VA and LOR. Collectively, compound 12 constitutes a novel, simplified, and subunit-selective GABAR modulator with low-dose anticonvulsant activity.