Synthesis and antiepileptic studies of new imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives

Abstract

In this manuscript, we report the synthesis of newly designed imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines carrying active pharmacophores as potential anticonvulsant agents. Newly synthesized target compounds were characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and mass spectroscopy followed by elemental analysis studies. Preliminary anticonvulsant screening study of target compounds was carried out following MES and scPTZ methods. Compounds 6e and 6f, possessing electron rich aryl substituent at position-2 and tolyl substituted oxazolone moiety at the position-3 of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine ring, exhibited activity comparable to standard drug diazepam and emerged as lead compounds. New compounds displayed enhanced activity in scPTZ method, indicating their ability to raise the seizure threshold. Their neurotoxicity study by Rotarod test showed that they are nontoxic at all tested doses.