Title:Functional Chemical Groups that May Likely Become a Source for the Synthesis of Novel Central Nervous System (CNS) Acting Drugs
Volume: 17
Issue: 3
Author(s): Saganuwan A. Saganuwan*
Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Physiology, Pharmacology and Biochemistry, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2373, Makurdi, Benue State,Nigeria
Keywords:
Benzene ring, CNS effect, functional group, heteroatom, parkinsonism, Stevens Johnson syndrome, thiophene.
Abstract: Introduction: Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders are on increase perhaps due to genetic,
enviromental, social and dietetic factors. Unfortunately, a large number of CNS drugs have adverse
effects such as addiction, tolerance, psychological and physical dependence. In view of this, literature
search was carried out with a view to identify functional chemical groups that may serve as
lead molecules for synthesis of compounds that may have CNS activity.
Methods: The search revealed that heterocycles that have heteroatoms such as nitrogen (N), sulphur
(S) and oxygen (O) form the largest class of organic compounds. They replace carbon in a benzene
ring to form pyridine. Compounds with furan, thiophene, pyrrole, pyridine, azole, imidazole, indole,
purine, pyrimidine, esters, carboxylic acid, aldehyde, pyrylium, pyrone, pyrodine, barbituric acid, barbiturate,
quinoline, quinolone, isoquinolone, coumarin, alkylpyridine, picoline, piperidine, diazine,
carboxamide, flavonoid glycoside, oxindole, aminophenol, benzimidazole, benzoxazole, benzothiazole,
and chromone chemical groups among others may have CNS effects ranging from depression
passing through euphoria to convulsion.
Results and Conclusion: Examples of the compounds with the functional groups include but not limited
to coal tar, pyridostigmine, pralidoxime, quinine, mefloquine, pyrilamine, pyronaridine, ciprofloxacin
and piroxicam. A number of them can undergo keto-enol tautomerism. Chiral amines may be
used for derivation of chiral carboxylic acids which are components of tautomers. Some tautomers
may cause parkinsonism and Stevens Johnson syndrome
