Aminoalkanolic derivatives of xanthone with potential antiepileptic activity

Synthesis, physicochemical and anticonvulsant properties of some aminoisopropanoloxy derivatives of 2-xanthone are described. The compounds were prepared by the amination of 2-[(2,3-epoxy)-propoxyl]-xanthone or 2-(3-chloro-2-hydroxy-propoxy)-xanthone. The obtained compounds were evaluated for anticonvulsant activity in the maximal electroshock (MES)- and subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole (scMet)-induced seizures and for neurotoxicity in the rotorod test in mice and rats. The most promising compounds seem to be the 3-(tert.-butyl-amino) (3), 3-[N-methyl-(tert.-butyl)-amino] (12) and 3-[4-(benzyl)-1-piperazinyl (5) substituted 2-hydroxy-1-(2-xanthonoxy)-propane from which 3 and 5 were active in both the anticonvulsant tests. The protective index (TD50/ED50) in MES in mice for 3 and valproate, as for 12 and phenytoin or carbamazepine, is similar.