Synthesis and Anticonvulsant Activities of N-Cbz--aminoglutarimidooxy Carboxylate Derivatives

Previous studies on the anticonvulsant activity of $N-Cbz-{\alpha}-aminoglutarmides$ have shown that the derivatives of $N-Cbz-{\alpha}-amino-N-alkoxy$ glutarimide have significant anticonvulsant activity. In addition, their anticonvulsant activities are dependent on the presence of N-alkoxy groups. Based on these results, a series of $N-Cbz-{\alpha}-amino-glutarimidooxy$ carboxylates derivatives (3a-e) were synthesized in moderate yield using a known synthetic procedure. Their anticonvulsant activities were evaluated using the maximal electroshock seizure (MES) test, the pentylene tetrazole induced seizure (PTZ) test, and the strychinine (Str) threshold test with the ultimate aim of developing more active anticonvulsants. None of the compounds (3a-e) tested showed anticonvulsant activity in the MES and PTZ test. However, all the compounds tested exhibited significant anticonvulsant activity in the Str. test. The most active compound in the Str. test was the methyl ester of $N-Cbz-{\alpha}-amino-glutarimidooxy$ acetic acid 3a $(ED_{50}\;=\;42.9\;mg/kg)$.