R-phenibut binds to the α2-δ subunit of voltage-dependent calcium channels and exerts gabapentin-like anti-nociceptive effects.

Phenibut is clinically used anxiolytic, mood elevator and nootropic drug. R-phenibut is responsible for the pharmacological activity of racemic phenibut, and this activity correlates with its binding affinity for GABAB receptors. In contrast, S-phenibut does not bind to GABAB receptors. In this study, we assessed the binding affinities of R-phenibut, S-phenibut, baclofen and gabapentin (GBP) for the α2-δ subunit of the voltage-dependent calcium channel (VDCC) using a subunit-selective ligand, radiolabelled GBP. Binding experiments using rat brain membrane preparations revealed that the equilibrium dissociation constants (Kis) for R-phenibut, S-phenibut, baclofen and GBP were 23, 39, 156 and 0.05µM, respectively. In the pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure test, we found that at doses up to 100mg/kg, R-phenibut did not affect PTZ-induced seizures. The anti-nociceptive effects of R-phenibut were assessed using the formalin-induced paw-licking test and the chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve model. Pre-treatment with R-phenibut dose-dependently decreased the nociceptive response during both phases of the test. The anti-nociceptive effects of R-phenibut in the formalin-induced paw-licking test were not blocked by the GABAB receptor-selective antagonist CGP35348. In addition, treatment with R- and S-phenibut alleviated the mechanical and thermal allodynia induced by CCI of the sciatic nerve. Our data suggest that the binding affinity of R-phenibut for the α2-δ subunit of the VDCC is 4 times higher than its affinity for the GABAB receptor. The anti-nociceptive effects of R-phenibut observed in the tests of formalin-induced paw licking and CCI of the sciatic nerve were associated with its effect on the α2-δ subunit of the VDCC rather than with its effects on GABAB receptors. In conclusion, our results provide experimental evidence for GBP-like, anti-nociceptive properties of R-phenibut, which might be used clinically to treat neuropathic pain disorders.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 2-(5-methyl-4-phenyl-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)-acetamide stereoisomers as novel positive allosteric modulators of sigma-1 receptor.

Novel positive allosteric modulators of sigma-1 receptor represented by 2-(5-methyl-4-phenyl-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)-acetamide enantiomers were synthesised using an asymmetric Michael addition of 2-nitroprop-1-enylbenzene to diethyl malonate. Following the chromatographic separation of the methyl erythro- and threo-4-nitro-3R- and 3S-phenylpentanoate diastereoisomers, target compounds were obtained by their reductive cyclisation into 5-methyl-4-phenylpyrrolidin-2-one enantiomers and the attachment of the acetamide group to the heterocyclic nitrogen. Experiments with electrically stimulated rat vas deference contractions induced by the PRE-084, an agonist of sigma-1 receptor, showed that (4R,5S)- and (4R,5R)-2-(5-methyl-4-phenyl-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)-acetamides with an R-configuration at the C-4 chiral centre in the 2-pyrrolidone ring were more effective positive allosteric modulators of sigma-1 receptor than were their optical antipodes.

Investigation into stereoselective pharmacological activity of phenotropil.

Phenotropil [N-carbamoylmethyl-4-aryl-2-pyrrolidone (2-(2-oxo-4-phenyl-pyrrolidin-1-yl) acetamide; carphedon)] is clinically used in its racemic form as a nootropic drug that improves physical condition and cognition. The aim of this study was to compare the stereoselective pharmacological activity of R- and S-enantiomers of phenotropil in different behavioural tests. Racemic phenotropil and its enantiomers were tested for locomotor, antidepressant and memory-improving activity and influence on the central nervous system (CNS) using general pharmacological tests in mice. After a single administration, the amount of compound in brain tissue extracts was determined using an ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS/MS) method in a positive ion electrospray mode. In the open-field test, a significant increase in locomotor activity was observed after a single administration of R-phenotropil at doses of 10 and 50 mg/kg and S-phenotropil at a dose of 50 mg/kg. In the forced swim test, R-phenotropil induced an antidepressant effect at doses of 100 and 50 mg/kg, and S-phenotropil was active at a dose of 100 mg/kg. R-phenotropil significantly enhanced memory function in a passive avoidance response test at a dose of 1 mg/kg; the S-enantiomer did not show any activity in this test. However, the concentrations of R- and S-phenotropils in brain tissue were similar. In conclusion, the antidepressant and increased locomotor activity relies on both R- and S-phenotropils, but the memory-improving activity is only characteristic of R-phenotropil. These results may be important for the clinical use of optically pure isomers of phenotropil.

Comparative pharmacological activity of optical isomers of phenibut.

Phenibut (3-phenyl-4-aminobutyric acid) is a GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)-mimetic psychotropic drug which is clinically used in its racemic form. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of racemic phenibut and its optical isomers in pharmacological tests and GABAB receptor binding studies. In pharmacological tests of locomotor activity, antidepressant and pain effects, S-phenibut was inactive in doses up to 500 mg/kg. In contrast, R-phenibut turned out to be two times more potent than racemic phenibut in most of the tests. In the forced swimming test, at a dose of 100 mg/kg only R-phenibut significantly decreased immobility time. Both R-phenibut and racemic phenibut showed analgesic activity in the tail-flick test with R-phenibut being slightly more active. An GABAB receptor-selective antagonist (3-aminopropyl)(diethoxymethyl)phosphinic acid (CGP35348) inhibited the antidepressant and antinociceptive effects of R-phenibut, as well as locomotor depressing activity of R-phenibut in open field test in vivo. The radioligand binding experiments using a selective GABAB receptor antagonist [3H]CGP54626 revealed that affinity constants for racemic phenibut, R-phenibut and reference GABA-mimetic baclofen were 177+/-2, 92+/-3, 6.0+/-1 microM, respectively. We conclude that the pharmacological activity of racemic phenibut relies on R-phenibut and this correlates to the binding affinity of enantiomers of phenibut to the GABAB receptor.

Doxorubicin prodrug on the basis of tert-butyl cephalosporanate sulfones.

Doxorubicin-cephalosporin prodrug adapted to the development of elastases for the liberation of parent drug was synthesized on the basis of cephalosporanate sulfone esters.

Synthesis of antitumor 6-alkylidenepenicillanate sulfones and related 3-alkylidene-2-azetidinones.

6-alkylidenepenicillanate sulfoxides and sulfones were synthesized on the base of 6-oxopenicillanate esters. The targeted splitting of their thiazolidine ring led to the formation of 3-alkylidene substituted 4-heteryldithio and 4-methylsulfonyl azetidin-2-ones. Some of mono and bicyclic beta-lactams revealed potent cytotoxic properties towards monolayer tumor cells in <10-microM concentrations.

Design of beta-lactams with mechanism based nonantibacterial activities.

The majority of nonantibacterial activities discovered for beta-lactam derivatives during the last 15 years are based on their ability to form a stable covalent complex with nucleophile in the active site of enzymes regulating fundamental physiological processes in mammalian organism such as serine and cysteine proteases, LDL phospholipase A(2), A-independent transacylase and some still indeciphered enzymes. Regulation of their catalytic activity both in vitro and in vivo by compounds designed on the cephalosporin, penicillin and 2-azetidinone base was successfully exploited in the treatment of inflammatory, respiratory, cardiovascular disorders, cancer and other pathologic processes. Availability of X-ray crystallographic data for target enzymes and computational molecular modelling in combination with wide possibilities of structural modifications for commercial natural and synthetic beta-lactams and the chiral blocks allow to consider this class of organic compounds as a perspective source of mechanism based nonantibacterial drugs.