Antinociceptive activity of novel amide derivatives of imidazolidine-2,4-dione in a mouse model of acute pain

Background Antiepileptic drugs are commonly used in non-epileptic disorders. For example, phenytoin and levetiracetam demonstrate analgesic properties in rodent models of pain. In order to enhance their antinociceptive activity, structural features of phenytoin and levetiracetam, such as imidazolidine-2,4-dione and amide bond in alkyl chain, were combined in one molecule. Furthermore, in preliminary studies, methoxyphenylpiperazinpropyl derivatives of imidazolidine-2,4-dione acted as antinociceptive agents in several rodent models of acute pain. Methods The final compounds and the reference drugs — levetiracetam and phenytoin were evaluated in the hot plate test to assess their antinociceptive activity in this acute pain model. Furthermore, for the analgesic active compounds the impact on animals’ locomotor activity and motor performance were estimated and the affinity to serotonergic (5-HT 1A , 5-HT 7 ) and adrenergic (α 1 ) receptors was determined. Results Three of the tested compounds: 7 , 15 and 18 showed statistically significant antinociceptive properties at the dose of 30 mg/kg. Among them, compound 18 , 1-methyl-3-[1-(morpholin-4-yl)-1-oxobutan-2-yl]imidazolidine-2,4-dione, exhibited the most significant and long-lasting antinociceptive activity. Noteworthy, this activity was not associated with a negative effect on animals’ motor functions. Serotonergic or adrenergic neurotransmission is not involved in this antinociceptive effect. Conclusion Some amide derivatives of imidazolidine-2,4-diones possess antinociceptive properties in mice but further studies are needed to explain their mechanism of action and assess their toxicity.