Design, synthesis, and AMPA receptor antagonistic activity of a novel 6-nitro-3-oxoquinoxaline-2-carboxylic acid with a substituted phenyl group at the 7 position

Abstract We describe the design, synthesis, and biological properties of a novel series of 7-substituted 6-nitro-3-oxoquinoxaline-2-carboxylic acids. After designing, studying the structure–activity relationships, and evaluating the properties of various compounds, we found that 7-heterocyclic-6-nitro-3-oxoquinoxaline-2-carboxylic acids that contain a substituted phenyl group linked through urethane at the 7 position possess good α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole propionate receptor (AMPA-R) antagonistic activity. Among the compounds tested, compound 29p ( GRA-293 ), which has a 4-carboxy group on the terminal phenyl moiety, exhibited high potency and selectivity for the AMPA-R in vitro and good neuroprotective efficacy in vivo. It also showed good aqueous solubility.