Design, Synthesis, and Pharmacological Evaluation of Novel β2/3 Subunit-Selective γ‑Aminobutyric Acid Type A (GABAA) Receptor Modulators

Subunit-selective modulation of γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors (GABAAR) is considered to exert fewer side effects compared to unselective clinically used drugs. Here, the β2/3 subunit-selective GABAAR modulators valerenic acid (VA) and loreclezole (LOR) guided the synthesis of novel subunit-selective ligands with simplified structures. We studied their effects on GABAARs expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes using two-microelectrode voltage clamp technique. Five compounds showed significantly more efficacious modulation of GABA-evoked currents than VA and LOR with retained potency and selectivity. Compound 18 [(E)-2–Cyano-3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)­but-2-enamide] induced the highest maximal modulation of GABA-induced chloride currents (Emax: 3114 ± 242%), while 12 [(Z)-3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)­but-2-enenitrile] displayed the highest potency (EC50: 13 ± 2 μM). Furthermore, in hippocampal neurons 12 facilitated phasic and tonic GABAergic inhibition, and in vivo studies revealed significantly more potent protection against pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures compared to VA and LOR. Collectively, compound 12 constitutes a novel, simplified, and subunit-selective GABAAR modulator with low-dose anticonvulsant activity.