Synthesis and evaluation of pharmacological profile of 1-aryl-6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2(1H)-sulfonamides

In previous studies we identified several 1-aryl-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives displaying potent anticonvulsant effects in different animal models of epilepsy. With the aim to deepen the structure–activity relationships (SAR) for this class of compounds and identify novel anticonvulsant agents we synthesized a series of 1-aryl-6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2(1H)-sulfonamides. The new compounds incorporate the main features of the above-mentioned anticonvulsants and a sulfonamide function capable to inhibit the enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1), which represents an attractive target in epilepsy. Pharmacological effects were evaluated in vivo against audiogenic seizures in DBA/2 mice and in vitro against several CA isoforms. Some of the new molecules showed anticonvulsant properties better than topiramate, but weak inhibitory activity and low selectivity in enzymatic assay.

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