The use of benzodiazepine compounds for preparing a pharmaceutical composition against CNS disorders related to the excitatory aminoacids

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a benzodiazepine compound having the formula wherein R³ is hydrogen, C₁₋₈-alkyl which may be branched, or cycloalkylmethyl; R⁷ and R⁸ are independently hydrogen, halogen, CF₃, CN, NO₂, NH₂, C₁₋₄-alkyl or C₁₋₄-alkoxy; and R⁴ is hydrogen and R⁵ is hydrogen or C₁₋₇-alkyl; or R⁴ and R⁵ together signify (CH₂) n wherein n is an integer of 2-3, as the active ingredient for preparing a pharmaceutical composition for treating a central nervous system disorder related to the excitatory amino acids.

Description: The present invention relates to a novel use of benzodiazepine compounds for preparing pharmaceutical compositions. It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel use of benzodiazepine compounds. The benzodiazepine compounds useful for preparing the pharmaceutical compositions have the formula I wherein R 3 is hydrogen; R 7 and R 8 are independently hydrogen, halogen, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , NH 2 , C 1-4 -alkyl or C 1-4 -alkoxy; and R 4 is hydrogen and R 5 is hydrogen or C 1-7 -alkyl; or R 4 and R 5 together signify (CH 2 ) n wherein n is an integer of 2-3. The pharmaceutical compositions prepared according to the present invention are extremely useful in the treatment of central nervous system disorders related to the excitatory amino acids. Examples of compounds having the formula above are for example: 7-Fluor-5,6-dihydro-5-methyl-6-oxo-4H-imidazo[1,5-a][1,4]benzodiazepine-3-carboxylate, 7-Chlor-5,6-dihydro-5-methyl-6-oxo-4H-imidazo[1,5-a][1,4]benzodiazepine-3-carboxylate, (S)-8-Chlor-11,12,13,13a-tetrahydro-9-oxo-9H-imidazo[1,5-a]pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine-1-carboxylate, (R,S)-11,13a-Dihydro-9-oxo-9H-imidazo[1,5-a]-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine-1-carboxylate; (R,S)-8-Fluor-11,13a-dihydro-9-oxo-9H-imidazo[1,5a]pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine-1-carboxylate, 5,6-Dihydro-5-methyl-6-oxo-4H-imidazo[1,5-a][1,4]benzodiazepine-3-carboxylate, 5,6-dihydro-5-methyl-6-oxo-4H-imidazo[1,5-a][1,4]benzodiazepine-3-carboxylate, 5,6-dihydro-5-methyl-6-oxo-4H-imidazo[1,5-a][1,4]benzodiazepine-3-carboxylate, 8-fluor-5,6-dihydro-5-methyl-6-oxo-4H-imidazo[1,5a][1,4]benzodiazepine-3-carboxylate, 8-fluor-5,6-dihydro-5-methyl-6-oxo-4H-imidazo[1,5-a][1,4]benzodiazepine-3-carboxylate, 5,6-Dihydro-5,7-dimethyl-6-oxo-4H-imidazo[1,5-a][1,4]benzodiazepine-3-carboxylate, (S)-11,12,13,13a-Tetrahydro-9-oxo-9H-imidazo[1,5-a]pyrrolo[2,1-c[[1,4]benzodiazepine-1-carboxylate, (S)-11,12,13,13a-tetrahydro-9-oxo-9H-imidazo[1,5-a]pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine-1-carboxylate, (S)-11,12,13,13a-tetrahydro-9-oxo-9H-imidazo[1,5-a]pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine-1-carboxylate, (S)-7-Fluor-11,12,13,13a-tetrahydro-9-oxo-9H-imidazo[1,5a]pyrrolo[2,1-a][1,4]benzodiazepine-1-carboxylate, (S)-11,12,13,13a-Tetrahydro-8-methyl-9-oxo-9H-imidazo[1,5a]pyrrolo[2,1-a][1,4]benzodiazepine-1-carboxylate. The compounds can be prepared as described in USP 4,316,839; USP 4,352,817; USP 4,386,028; USP 4,352,816; USP 4,352,818; USP 4,353,827; and USP 4,489,003. It has been found that the compounds of formula I wherein R 3 is an alkyl group are metabolized to the corresponding compounds wherein R 3 is H, and it has been found that the compounds wherein R 3 is H are more potent than their corresponding ester analogues. Thus it seems highly likely the biological active chemical entities of formula I all are compounds wherein R 3 is H. Biological Activity The compounds of formula I exhibit Valuable biological properties. For example the compounds exhibit strong pharmacological in vivo ATPA and quisqualate antagonizing effects demonstrating the utility as novel orally bioavailable quisqualate or kainate antagonists, which makes them useful in the treatment of for example psychosis, anoxia, ischemia and migraine. Biological testing The above mentioned tests are performed as described in more detail below and as based upon the principles also described hereinafter. ATPA-induced rigidity The selective quisqualate receptor agonist ATPA induce rigidity in female NMRI mice at doses between 3 and 15 mg/kg and clonic-tonic seizures and death, probably due to respiratory arrest, at doses between 15 and 40 mg/kg after intravenous (i.v.) administration. Method ATPA ((RS)-α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-tert-butyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid) was dissolved in distilled water and test compound was dissolved in a polyoxyl 40 hydrogenated castor oil (5% Cremophor RH™ 40 (BASF)). Test compound was administered either i.v. 5, 30 or 120 min before or p.o. 30 min before an i.v. administration of 15 mg/kg of ATPA to 8 female NMRI mice per dose and the number of mice experiencing rigidity 5 min later was noted. An ED 50 value was calculated from at least three doses of test compound as the dose inhibiting 50% of the mice from having rigidity. Quisqualate-induced clonic seizures Quisqualate given icv to DBA/2 mice induce clonic seizures which can be inhibited by both NMDA and non-NMDA receptor antagonists after icv administration. Method Test compound was given i.v. 5 min before a 20 µg icv administration of quisqualate to 10 male DBA/2 mice (weighing 10-12 g) per dose. The number of mice experiencing clonic seizures within the next 2 min was noted. An ED 50 value was calculated as the dose inhibiting 50% of the mice from having clonic seizures. The table below presents some data obtained by testing selected compounds. Pharmaceutical Compositions The compounds of formula I, together with a conventional adjuvant, carrier, or diluent, may be placed into the form of pharmaceutical compositions and unit dosages thereof, and in such form may be employed as solids, such as tablets or filled capsules, or liquids such as solutions, suspensions, emulsions, elixirs, or capsules filled with the same, all for oral use, in the form of suppositories for rectal administration; or in the form of sterile injectable solutions for parenteral (including subcutaneous) use. Such pharmaceutical compositions and unit dosage forms thereof may comprise conventional ingredients in conventional proportions, with or without additional active compounds or principles, and such unit dosage forms may contain any suitable effective amount of the active ingredient commensurate with the intended daily dosage range to be employed. Tablets containing ten (10) milligrams of active ingredients or, sore broadly, one (1) to one hundred (100) milligrams, per tablet, are accordingly suitable representative unit dosage forms. Method of Treating The pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds of formula I are extremely useful in the treatment of central nervous system disorders related to the excitatory amino acids. The pharmaceutical compositions may accordingly be administered to a subject, including a human, in need of treatment, alleviation, or elimination of an indication associated with dysfunctions related to the excitatory amino acids. This includes especially psychosis, anoxia, ischemia and migraine.

Claims: Claims for the following Contracting States : AT, BE, CH, DE, FR, GB, GR, IT, LI, LU, NL, SE The use of a benzodiazepine compound having the formula wherein R 3 is hydrogen R 7 and R 8 are independently hydrogen, halogen, CF3, CN, NO 2 , NH 2 , C 1-4 -alkyl or C 1-4 -alkoxy; and R 4 is hydrogen and R 5 is hydrogen or C 1-7 -alkyl; or R 4 and R 5 together signify (CH 2 ) n wherein n is an integer of 2-3, as the active ingredient for preparing a pharmaceutical composition for treating a central nervous system disorder responsive to antagonization of excitatory amino acids acting via the quisqualate or kainate receptors. The use according to claim 1 wherein the active ingredient is 8-fluor-5,6-dihydro-5-methyl-6-oxo-4H-imidazo[1,5-a] [1,4]benzodiazepine-3-carboxylate. The use according to claim 1 wherein the active ingredient is 8-brom-11,12,13,13a-tetrahydro-9-oxo-9H-imidazo[1,5-a] pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine-1-carboxylate. The use according to claim 1 wherein the active ingredient is 12,12a-dihydro-8-chloro-9-oxo-9H,11H-azeto[2,1-c] imidazo[1,5-a][1,4]benzodiazepine-1-carboxylate. Claims for the following Contracting State : ES A process for preparing a pharmaceutical composition for treating a central nervous system disorder responsive to antagonization of excitatory amino acids acting via the quisqualate or kainate receptors, comprising the step of placing the compound having the formula: wherein R 3 is hydrogen R 7 and R 8 are independently hydrogen, halogen, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , NH 2 , C 1-4 -alkyl or C 1-4 -alkoxy; and R 4 is hydrogen and R 5 is hydrogen or C 1-7 -alkyl; or R 4 and R 5 together signify (CH 2 ) n wherein n is an integer of 2-3, together with a conventional adjuvant, carrier or diluent into the form of a pharmaceutical composition or unit dosage thereof. The process according to claim 1 wherein the active ingredient is 8-fluor-5,6-dihydro-5-methyl-6-oxo-4H-imidazo[1,5-a][1,4]benzodiazepine-3-carboxylate. The process according to claim 1 wherein the active ingredient is 8-brom-11,12,13,13a-tetrahydro-9-oxo-9H-imidazo[1,5-a]pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine-1- carboxylate. The process according to claim 1 wherein the active ingredient is 12,12a-dihydro-8-chloro-9-oxo-9H,11H-azeto[2,1-c]imidazo[1,5-a][1,4]benzodiazepine-1-carboxylate.

Inventors: DREJER JORGEN, JENSEN LEIF HELTH, WAETJEN FRANK, DREJER, JORGEN, JENSEN, LEIF HELTH, WAETJEN, FRANK, Wätjen, Frank 
Applicants: NEUROSEARCH AS, NEUROSEARCH A/S
Application year: 1991
Main classification: A61K31
IPC codes: A61P25, C07D487, A61K31, A61P9