2-(Cyclohexylamino)-1-(4-cyclopentylpiperazin-1-yl)-2-methylpropan-1-one, a novel compound with neuroprotective and neurotrophic effects in vitro

Focusing on development of novel drug candidates for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, we developed and synthesized a new compound, 2-(cyclohexylamino)-1-(4-cyclopentylpiperazin-1-yl)-2-methylpropan-1-one (amido-piperizine 1). The compound demonstrated robust neuroprotective properties after both glutamate excitotoxicity and peroxide induced oxidative stress in primary cortical cultures. Furthermore, amido-piperizine 1 was found to significantly induce neurite outgrowth in vitro which could suggest central reparative and regenerative potential of the compound.With these potential beneficial effects in CNS, the ability of the amido-piperizine 1 to penetrate the blood–brain barrier was tested using MDR1–MDCK cells. Amido-piperizine 1 was found not to be a P-gp substrate and to have a high blood–brain barrier penetration potential, indicating excellent availability to the CNS. Moreover, amido-piperizine 1 had a fast metabolic clearance rate in vitro, suggesting that parenteral in vivo administration seems preferable.As an attempt to elucidate a possible mechanism of action, we found that amido-piperizine 1 bound in nano-molar range to the sigma-1 receptor, which could explain the observed neuroprotective and neurotrophic properties, and with a 100-fold lower affinity to the sigma-2 receptor. These results propose that amido-piperizine 1 may hold promise as a drug candidate for the treatment of stroke/traumatic brain injury or other neurodegenerative diseases.

► Neuroprotective efficacy of small molecule in H2O2 and glutamate assays in vitro.
► Novel small molecule with significant sigma binding and neurotrophic effects.
► High BBB penetration potential and high microsome digestion in cellular assays.