Synthesis and GABAA receptor activity of A-homo analogues of neuroactive steroids

Rational approaches for the design of various GABA modulators and their clinical progression

GABA (γ-amino butyric acid) is an important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Attenuation of GABAergic neurotransmission plays an important role in the etiology of several neurological disorders including epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's chorea, migraine, Parkinson's disease, neuropathic pain, and depression. Increase in the GABAergic activity may be achieved through direct agonism at the GABAA receptors, inhibition of enzymatic breakdown of GABA, or by inhibition of the GABA transport proteins (GATs). These functionalities make GABA receptor modulators and GATs attractive drug targets in brain disorders associated with decreased GABA activity. There have been several reports of development of GABA modulators (GABA receptors, GABA transporters, and GABAergic enzyme inhibitors) in the past decade. Therefore, the focus of the present review is to provide an overview on various design strategies and synthetic approaches toward developing GABA modulators. Furthermore, mechanistic insights, structure-activity relationships, and molecular modeling inputs for the biologically active derivatives have also been discussed. Summary of the advances made over the past few years in the clinical translation and development of GABA receptor modulators is also provided. This compilation will be of great interest to the researchers working in the field of neuroscience. From the light of detailed literature, it can be concluded that numerous molecules have displayed significant results and their promising potential, clearly placing them ahead as potential future drug candidates.

Neurosteroids: Can a 2alpha,3alpha-epoxy ring make up for the 3alpha-hydroxyl group?

Seven steroid epoxides were prepared from 5α-pregn-2-en-20-one and 5α-pregn-3-en-20-one and their side-chain derivatives. All compounds were tested in vitro for binding to γ-aminobutyric acid (GABAA) receptor, some of them also in vivo for anticonvulsant action. 2α,3α-Epoxy-5α-pregnan-20-one inhibited the TBPS binding to the GABAA receptor and showed a moderate anticonvulsant action in immature rats. In contrast, its 3α,4α-isomer was inactive. More polar epoxide derivatives, modified at the side chain were less active or inactive. Noteworthy, diol 20, the product of trans-diaxial opening of the 2α,3α-epoxide 4, was not able to inhibit the TBPS binding, showing that the activity of the epoxide is due to the compound itself and not to its hydrolytic product. The 3α-hydroxyl group is known to be essential for the GABAA receptor binding. Despite the shortness of in vivo effects which are probably due to metabolic inactivation of the products prepared, our results show that the 2α,3α-epoxy ring is another structural pattern with ability to bind the GABAAR.

Hot water-promoted cyclopropylcarbinyl rearrangement facilitates construction of homoallylic alcohols

Hot water can promote the rearrangements of various types of cyclopropyl carbinols to afford acyclic or cyclic homoallylic alcohols in high yields.