Synthesis of Novel Piperonal Derivatives and Evaluation of their Anticonvulsant Activity using A Nanoparticular Formulation

Abstract

Ancient Chinese medical literature and independent studies indicate that piperine possess anticonvulsant activity and demonstrates a high degree of safety. A similarity was also demonstrated with synthetic piperine derivatives as well. In this study, chalcones and Schiffs bases of piperonal with different any methyl ketones, and aromatic primary amines were synthesized using conventional and microwave-irradiation methods. Purification of these compounds was  effected by recrystallization from alcohol and characterized by NMR and IR spectra. The synthesized compounds were screened for their anticonvulsant activity using a 4-aminopyridine induced model with the help of a conventional and a current nanoparticular formulation approach. A drug delivery system methodology in the form of nanoparticles for screening was adopted because it has more advantages when compared to conventional formulations in drug discovery stages. Nanoparticle formulations encapsulating selected synthesized compounds were prepared using solvent evaporation technique by taking polycaprolactone as the polymer. Few piperonal synthesized derivatives demonstrated anticonvulsant activity which was lesser than the standard phenytoin. Unfortunately, nanoparticular formulations prepared in this current study encapsulating selected synthesized compounds did not show any activity, suggesting more work is needed to demonstrate positive results.