The effect of N-substituted alkyl groups on the anticonvulsant activities ofN-Cbz-α-amino-N-alkylsuccinimides

Abstract

For the purpose of defining the effects of theN-substituted alkyl groups on the anticonvulsant activities ofN-Cbz-alpha-aminosuccinimides, various (R)-and(S)-N-alkyl substitutedN-Cbz-alpha-aminosuccinimides (1 and2) were prepared from the corresponding (R)-and(S)-N-Cbz-aspartic acid by using known reaction and were evaluated the anticonvulsant activies in the MES and PTZ tests, including their neurotoxicities. The most active compound in the MES test was(R)-N-Cbz-alpha-amino-N-methylsuccinimide (1b) (ED(50)=52.5 mg/kg, Pl-3.2). And in case of the PTZ test,(R)-N-Cbz-alpha-amino-N-ethylsuccinimide (1c) was the most active compound (ED(50)=32.5 mg/kg, Pl=3.1). The order of anticonvulsant activities of these compounds against the MES test, as judged from the ED(50) values for theR series (1), wasN-methyl >N-isobutyl > non-substituted >N-ethyl,N-allyl >N-benzyl compound; for theS series (2)N-methyl >N-allyl > non-substituted >N-isobutyl >N-ethyl >N-benzyl compound. The anticonvulsant activities in the PTZ tests of these compounds exhibited somewhat different pattern; for theR series (1)N-ethyl >N-methyl >N-isobutyl> non-substituted >N-allyl >N-benzyl compound in order of decreasing activity; forS series (2)N-ethyl >N-allyl, non-substituted >N-isobutyl >N-methyl >N-benzyl compound in order of decreasing activity.