Design, synthesis and anticonvulsant activity of some newer 3H-quinazolin-4-one derivatives

In the present investigation, a series of 2-[2-(aryl)-2-oxo-ethylsulfanyl]-3-(aryl/propyl)-3H-quinazolin-4-ones have been synthesized and tested for their potential against seizures in mice. All the newly synthesized compounds show moderate to high protection against 6 Hz partial seizure with compound 2b, 2-(2-oxo-2-p-tolyl-ethylsulfanyl)-3-phenyl-3H-quinazolin-4-one emerging as the most active anticonvulsant agent endowed with neuroprotective effect against NMDA and kainate induced excitotoxicity. The results of whole brain GABA assay indicates that the seizure protective activity of 2b can be either due to the increased brain GABA level or due to neuroprotective action.