2,4(5)-diarylimidazoles as inhibitors of hNaV1.2 sodium channels: pharmacological evaluation and structure-property relationships

Bioorg Med Chem. 2009 May 15;17(10):3642-8. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2009.03.067. Epub 2009 Apr 10.

Abstract

Sodium (Na) channels continue to represent an important target for the development of novel anticonvulsants. We have synthesized and evaluated a series of 2,4(5)-diarylimidazoles for inhibition of the human neuronal Na(V)1.2 Na channel isoform. Starting with the unsubstituted lead compound previously published 3, SAR studies were performed introducing substituents with different physico-chemical properties. Lipophilicity (log D(7.4)) and basicity (pK(a)) of the compounds were measured and submitted for QSPR investigations. Some of the active compounds described had IC(50) values that were considerably lower than our lead compound. In particular, the m-CF(3) disubstituted 22 was the most active compound, inhibiting hNa(V)1.2 currents within the nanomolar concentration range (IC(50)=200 nM). In comparison, lamotrigine and phenytoin, two clinically used anticonvulsant drugs known to inhibit Na channels, had IC(50)'s values that were greater than 100 microM.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Electrophysiology
  • Humans
  • Imidazoles / chemical synthesis
  • Imidazoles / chemistry
  • Imidazoles / pharmacology*
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Sodium Channel Blockers / chemical synthesis
  • Sodium Channel Blockers / chemistry
  • Sodium Channel Blockers / pharmacology*
  • Sodium Channels / chemistry
  • Sodium Channels / metabolism*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Imidazoles
  • Sodium Channel Blockers
  • Sodium Channels