Anticonvulsant activity of hydrazones, Schiff and Mannich bases of isatin derivatives

In the present study, anticonvulsant activity of hydrazones, Schiff and Mannich bases of isatin were evaluated by maximal electroshock method (MES) and metrazol-induced convulsions (MET) at 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg dose levels. Neurotoxicity of the compounds was also assessed at the same dose levels. Eight compounds of the series exhibited significant anticonvulsant activity at 30 mg/kg dose level. 3-(4-chloro-phenylimino)-5-methyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one (compound 10) was found to be the most potent compound of the series with 87% protection at 100 mg/kg and an ED50 of 53.61 mg/kg (MET). All the compounds exhibited lesser neurotoxicity compared to phenytoin. All the active compounds showed greater protection than sodium valproate. The essential structural features responsible for interaction with receptor site are established within a suggested pharmacophore. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.