A novel potassium channel opener, KR-31378, protects cortex neurons from oxidative injury by restoring antioxidant enzyme activities and glutathione levels

Neuronal hyperexcitability followed by high level of intracellular calcium and oxidative stress play critical roles in neuronal cell death in stroke and neurotrauma. Hence, KR-31378, a novel benzopyran derivative was designed as a new therapeutic strategy for neuroprotection possessing both anti-oxidant and potassium channel modulating activities. In the present study, we tested for its neuroprotective efficacy against oxidative stress-induced cell death in primary cortical cultures and further investigated its neuroprotective mechanism. (omitted)