Augmentation of GABAergic neurotransmission by novel N-(substituted)-2-[4- (substituted)benzylidene]hydrazinecarbothioamides - A potential anticonvulsant approach

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.ejmech.2013.04.019

New N-(substituted)-2-[4-(substituted)benzylidene]hydrazinecarbothioamides were designed, synthesized and evaluated for anticonvulsant activity and neurotoxicity. The anticonvulsant activity was established in three seizure models i.e. MES, scMET and 6 Hz model. The most active compound was N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-[4-(4-methylphenoxy) benzylidene]hydrazinecarbothioamide PT 30 which showed 100% protection in both MES and 6 Hz test. Compound PT 30 showed protection at three different time points in 6 Hz test at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Compound 2-[4-(4-Chlorophenoxy)benzylidene]-N-cyclohexylhydrazine carbothioamide PT 4 was also found to be active in both MES and 6 Hz test. Titled compounds exhibited good binding properties with epilepsy molecular targets GABA (A) delta and GABA (A) alpha-1 receptors, in LGA based flexible docking studies. Compounds PT 30 and PT 4 were found to elevate γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in the midbrain and medulla oblongata regions of rat brain. A computational study was carried out for calculation of pharmacophore pattern and prediction of pharmacokinetic properties.