Open AccessFlupirtine Analogues: Explorative Synthesis and Influence of Chemical Structure on K V 7.2/K V 7.3 Channel Opening Activity
Author(s) -
Surur Abdrrahman S.,
Beirow Kristin,
Bock Christian,
Schulig Lukas,
Kindermann Markus K.,
Bodtke Anja,
Siegmund Werner,
Bednarski Patrick J.,
Link Andreas
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
chemistryopen
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.644
H-Index - 29
ISSN - 2191-1363
DOI - 10.1002/open.201800244
Subject(s) - chemistry , potassium channel , analgesic , pharmacology , thioether , drug , synthetic cannabinoids , stereochemistry , combinatorial chemistry , medicinal chemistry , medicine , receptor , biochemistry , cannabinoid
Neuronal voltage‐gated potassium channels K V 7.2/K V 7.3 are sensitive to small‐molecule drugs such as flupirtine, even though physiological response occurs in the absence of ligands. Clinically, prolonged use of flupirtine as a pain medication is associated with rare cases of drug‐induced liver injury. Thus, safety concerns prevent a broader use of this non‐opioid and non‐steroidal analgesic in therapeutic areas with unmet medical needs such as hyperactive bladder or neonatal seizures. With the goal of studying influences of chemical structure on activity and toxicity of flupirtine, we explored modifications of the benzylamino bridge and the substitution pattern in both rings of flupirtine. Among twelve derivatives, four novel thioether derivatives showed the desired activity in cellular assays and may serve as leads for safer K V channel openers.