Synthesis of 2-substituted-6-(4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)benzo[d]oxazoles as potential anticonvulsant agents

Abstract

A series of 2-substituted-6-(4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)benzo[d]oxazoles were synthesized. The anticonvulsant effect and neurotoxicity of the compounds (intraperitoneally) were evaluated with the maximal electroshock (MES) test, subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole (sc-PTZ), and rotarod tests in mice. 2-Phenyl-6-(4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)benzo[d]oxazole (3g) was the most active and also had the lowest toxicity. In the anti-MES potency test, it showed median effective dose (ED(50)) of 29.5 mg/kg, a median toxicity dose (TD(50)) of 285 mg/kg, and a protective index (PI) of 9.7, which is greater than the reference drug, carbamazepine, which has a PI of 6.4.