Phenylalanine-Based AMPA Receptor Antagonist as the Anticonvulsant Agent with Neuroprotective Activity—In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Trying to meet the multitarget-directed ligands strategy, a series of previously described aryl-substituted phenylalanine derivatives, reported as competitive antagonists of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors, were screened in vitro for their free-radical scavengin...

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Main Authors: Gniewomir Latacz, Kinga Sałat, Anna Furgała-Wojas, Adrian Martyniak, Agnieszka Olejarz-Maciej, Ewelina Honkisz-Orzechowska, Ewa Szymańska
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-01-01
Series:Molecules
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/27/3/875
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Summary:Trying to meet the multitarget-directed ligands strategy, a series of previously described aryl-substituted phenylalanine derivatives, reported as competitive antagonists of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors, were screened in vitro for their free-radical scavenging and antioxidant capacity in two different assays: ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity fluorescent (ORAC-FL) assays. The most active antioxidants <b>1</b> and <b>8</b> were further examined to evaluate their neuroprotective properties in vitro. In this study, compound <b>1</b> showed a significant neuroprotective effect against the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y and IMR-32 cell lines. Both compounds also showed prevention from high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, the desired monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibition effect (IC<sub>50</sub> = 278 ± 29 nM) for <b>1</b> was determined. No toxic effects up to 100 µM of <b>1</b> and <b>8</b> against neuroblastoma cells were observed. Furthermore, in vivo studies showed that compound <b>1</b> demonstrated significant anticonvulsant potential in 6-Hz test, but in neuropathic pain models its antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic properties were not observed. Concluding, the compound <b>1</b> seems to be of higher importance as a new phenylalanine-based lead candidate due to its confirmed promise in in vitro and in vivo anticonvulsant activity.
ISSN:1420-3049