title: 3-Phenyl-substituted imidazo[1,5-alpha]quinoxalin-4-ones and imidazo[1,5-alpha]quinoxaline ureas that have high affinity at the GABAA/benzodiazepine receptor complex.
abstract: A series of imidazo[1,5-alpha]quinoxalin-4-ones and imidazo[1,5-alpha]quinoxaline ureas containing substituted phenyl groups at the 3-position was developed. Compounds within the imidazo[1,5-alpha]quinoxaline urea series had high affinity for the GABAA/benzodiazepine receptor complex with varying in vitro efficacy, although most analogs were partial agonists as indicated by [35S]TBPS and Cl- current ratios. Interestingly, a subseries of piperazine ureas was identified which had biphasic efficacy, becoming more antagonistic with increasing concentration. Analogs within the imidazo[1,5-alpha]quinoxalin-4-one series had substantially decreased binding affinity as compared to the quinoxaline urea series. These compounds ranged from antagonists to full agonists by in vitro analysis, with several derivatives having roughly 4-fold greater intrinsic activity than diazepam as indicated by Cl- current measurement. Numerous compounds from both series were effective in antagonizing metrazole-induced seizures, consistent with anti-convulsant properties and possible anxiolytic activity. Most of the quinoxaline ureas and quinoxalin-4-ones were active in an acute electroshock physical dependence side effect assay in mice precluding further development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Structural Chemistry, Pharmacia & Upjohn, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001, USA.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Jacobsen
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Stelzer
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Belonga
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: W B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Im
authors.forename: V H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Sethy
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: VonVoigtlander
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Petke
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000378:metabolism; D004357:Drug Synergism; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008024:Ligands; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D018079:Receptors, GABA / Q000378:metabolism*; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D007093:Imidazoles; D008024:Ligands; D011810:Quinoxalines; D018079:Receptors, GABA; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000431:Ethanol; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole