Skip to main content
Log in

Benzoxepin derivatives: design, synthesis, and pharmacological evaluation with sedative–hypnotic effect

  • Original Research
  • Published:
Medicinal Chemistry Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A series of novel benzoxepin-derived compounds were synthesized and evaluated for their sedative–hypnotic effect using Phenobarbital-induced sleep test in mice. Compound 6 in which the Phenobarbital moiety was incorporated into the benzoxepin nucleus was the most active one. Molecular modeling, including fitting to a 3D-pharmacophore model using Discovery Studio 2.1 programs into optimized benzodiazepine receptor (hypothesis) showed high fit values. The experimental studies for the in vivo sedative–hypnotic effect of compounds 26 and 11ac were consistent with the molecular modeling.

Graphical abstract

A series of novel benzoxepin-derived compounds were synthesized and evaluated for their sedative–hypnotic effect using Phenobarbital-induced sleep test in mice. Compound 6 in which the Phenobarbital moiety was incorporated into the benzoxepin nucleus was the most active one.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Scheme 1
Scheme 2
Scheme 3
Scheme 4
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Barnard EA, Skolnick P, Olsen RW, Mohler H, Sieghart W, Biggio G, Braestrup C, Bateson AN, Langer SZ (1998) International Union of Pharmacology. XV. Subtypes of gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptors: classification on the basis of subunit structure and receptor function. Pharmacol Rev 50:291–313

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barrett I, Meegan MJ, Hughes RB, Carr M, Knox AJ, Artemenko N, Golfis G, Zisterer DM, Lloyd DG (2008) Synthesis, biological evaluation, structural-activity relationship, and docking study for a series of benzoxepin-derived estrogen receptor modulators. Bioorg Med Chem 16:9554–9573

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bell JE, Burnett JC, Bell JK, Galatin PS, Abraham DJ (2003). Chapter nine: Allosteric proteins and drug discovery. Burger’s medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. Wiley, New York, pp 295–317

  • Bellantuono C, Reggi V, Tognoni G, Garattini S (1980) Benzodiazepines: clinical pharmacology and therapeutic use. Drugs 19:195–219

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Benedetti F, Pontiggia A, Bernasconi A, Colombo C, Florita M, Smeraldi E (2004) Lormetazepam in depressive insomnia: new evidence of phase-response effects of benzodiazepines. Int Clin Psychopharmacol 19:311–317

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bloom FE, Hardman JG, Limbird LE, Molinoff PB, Ruddon RW, Gilman AG (1996) The pharmacological basis of therapeutics. McGraw-Hill, New York, pp 267–293

    Google Scholar 

  • Delgado MR, Hirtz D, Aisen M, Ashwal S, Fehlings DL, McLaughlin J, Morrison LA, Shrader MW, Tilton A, Vargus-Adams J (2010) Practice parameter: pharmacologic treatment of spasticity in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (an evidence-based review): report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the Practice Committee of the Child Neurology Society. Neurology 74:336–343

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Freedman J (1975) US Patent 3,859,306, 7 Jan 1975

  • Garg N, Chandra T, Archana Jain AB, Kumar A (2010) Synthesis and evaluation of some new substituted benzothiazepine and benzoxazepine derivatives as anticonvulsant agents. Eur J Med Chem 45:1529–1535

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Georgey HH (2007) Design and synthesis of certain imidazo [1,5-a] quinazoline-5(4H)-one derivatives of anticipated anticonvulsant activity. Egypt J Chem 50:455–472

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gillon S, Johnson M, Campbell C (2010) Review of phenobarbitone use for deep terminal sedation in a UK hospice. Palliat Med 24:100–101

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Girgis AS, Ismail NS, Farag H, El-Eraky WI, Saleh DO, Tala SR, Katritzky AR (2010) Regioselective synthesis and molecular modeling study of vasorelaxant active 7,9-dioxa-1,2-diaza-spiro[4.5]dec-2-ene-6,10-diones. Eur J Med Chem 45:4229–4238

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ha SK, Shobha D, Moon E, Chari MA, Mukkanti K, Kim SH, Ahn KH, Kim SY (2010) Anti-neuroinflammatory activity of 1,5-benzodiazepine derivatives. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 20:3969–3971

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ismail MA, Aboul-Enein MN, Abouzid KA, Serya RA (2006) Ligand design and synthesis of new imidazo[5,1-b]quinazoline derivatives as alpha1-adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists. Bioorg Med Chem 14:898–910

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jiménez-Velázquez G, López-Muñoz FJ, Fernández-Guasti A (2010) Parallel anxiolytic-like and antinociceptive actions of diazepam in the anterior basolateral amygdala and dorsal periaqueductal gray. Brain Res 1349:11–20

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kazanietz MG, Elgoyhen AB (1990) Relaxant effect of benzodiazepines on uterine rings isolated from estrogen-treated rats. Eur J Pharmacol 185:231–234

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krogsgaard-Larsen P, Liljefors T, Madsen U (2002) Textbook of drug design and discovery, 1st edn. Taylor & Francis, Washington, p 250

    Google Scholar 

  • McKernan RM, Whiting PJ (1996) Which GABAA-receptor subtypes really occur in the brain? Trends Neurosci 19:139–143

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mombereau C, Gur TL, Onksen J, Blendy JA (2010) Differential effects of acute and repeated citalopram in mouse models of anxiety and depression. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 13:321–334

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mora S, Diaz-Veliz G, Lungenstrass H, García-González M, Coto-Morales T, Poletti C, De Lima TC, Herrera-Ruiz M, Tortoriello J (2005) Central nervous system activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of Casimiroa edulis in rats and mice. J Ethnopharmacol 97:191–197

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nakao T, Obata M, Kawakami M, Morita K, Tanaka H, Morimoto Y, Takehara S, Yakushiji T, Tahara T (1991) Studies on the synthesis of condensed pyridazine derivatives. IV. Synthesis and anxiolytic activity of 2-aryl-5,6-dihydro-(1)benzothiepino[5,4-c]pyridazin-3(2H)-ones and related compound. Chem Pharm Bull 39:2556–2563

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nakao T, Obata M, Yamaguchi Y, Marubayashi N, Ikeda K, Morimoto Y (1992) Synthesis and biological activities of optical isomers of 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-5,6-dihydro-(1)benzothiepino[5,4-c]pyridazin-3(2H)-one 7-oxide. Chem Pharm Bull 40:117–121

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nioche JY, Decerprit J, Festal D (1995) Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of new ACAT inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 30:377–385

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nishino T, Takeuchi T, Takechi K, Kamei C (2008) Evaluation of anxiolytic-like effects of some short-acting benzodiazepine hypnotics in mice. J Pharmacol Sci 107:349–354

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peterson EN (1987) Benzodiazepine receptor pharmacology: new vistas. Drugs Future 12:1043–1053

    Google Scholar 

  • Porter JH, Prus AJ (2009) Drug discrimination: 30 years of progress. Psychopharmacology 203:189–191

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shah N, Mahadeshwar S, Bhakta S, Bhirud M, Fernandes P, Andrade C (2010) The safety and efficacy of benzodiazepine-modified treatments as a special form of unmodified ECT. J ECT 26:23–29

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sieghart W, Sieghart W (1995) Structure and pharmacology of gamma-aminobutyric acidA receptor subtypes. Pharmacol Rev 47:181–234

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith GB, Olsen RW (1995) Functional domains of GABAA receptors. Trends Pharmacol Sci 16:162–168

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sommer BR, Fenn HH, Ketter TA (2007) Safety and efficacy of anticonvulsants in elderly patients with psychiatric disorders: oxcarbazepine, topiramate and gabapentin. Expert Opin Drug Saf 6:133–145

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • PHRMA (2010) Survey New Medicines in Development for Mental Illnesses. New survey finds 313 new medicines in clinical testing for mental illnesses. Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PHRMA), Washington. http://www.phrma.org

  • Tanaka H, Kirihara S, Yasumatsu H, Yakushiji T, Nakao T (1995) Synthesis and structure-activity analysis of 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-5,6 dihydrothieno[2′,3′:2,3]thiepino[4,5-c]pyridazin-3(2H)-ones as ligands for benzodiazepine receptors. Eur J Med Chem 30:859–868

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thuillier G, Bessin P (Ger Offen) (1975) DBP 2436075 (Chem. Abstr. 83:9834, 1975)

  • Tsuji R, Isobe N, Kawasaki H (1996) Mechanism of prolongation of pentobarbital-induced sleeping time by empenthrin in mice. Toxicology 108:185–190

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Westra HA, Stewart SH (2002) As-needed use of benzodiazepines in managing clinical anxiety: incidence and implications. Curr Pharm Des 8:59–74

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yasumatsu H, Morimoto Y, Yamamoto Y, Takehara S, Fukuda T, Nakao T, Setoguchi M (1994) The pharmacological properties of Y-23684, a benzodiazepine receptor partial agonist. Br J Pharmacol 111:1170–1178

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yeh HH, Grigorenko EV (1995) Deciphering the native GABAA receptor: is there hope? J Neurosci Res 41:567–571

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgment

The authors express deep thanks to Dr. Nasser S.M. Ismail, Lecturer of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University for his kind help during the molecular modeling.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hanan H. Georgey.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Abdel Gawad, N.M., Hassan, G.S., Georgey, H.H. et al. Benzoxepin derivatives: design, synthesis, and pharmacological evaluation with sedative–hypnotic effect. Med Chem Res 21, 747–759 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00044-011-9579-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00044-011-9579-3

Keywords

Navigation