Synthesis and Anticonvulsant Activity of 1-Substituted-7-Benzyloxy-4,5-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinoline

Starting from 6-hydroxy-3,4-dihydro-1H-quinoline-2-one, a series of 1-substituted-7-benzyloxy-4,5-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinolines was synthesized and their structures were characterized using IR, 1H-NMR, MS, and elemental analysis techniques. Anticonvulsant activity was evaluated in the maximal electroshock (MES) test, subcutaneous pentylenetetrazol (scMet) test, and rotarod neurotoxicity test. The most active compound was 7-benzyloxy-4,5-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinoline 4a. Its ED50 in the MES and scMet tests was 17.3 and 24 mg.kg-1, respectively. The safest compound was 4 g, 1-phenyl-7-benzyloxy-4,5-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinoline, with TD50 and protective index (PI) (PI=TD50/ED50) values of greater than 300 mg.kg-1 and 13, respectively. The PI value of compound 4 g was better than that of most marketed drugs. Structure-activity relationships are also described in this paper.