NEUROACTIVE FLAVONOIDS - NEW LIGANDS FOR THE BENZODIAZEPINE RECEPTORS

Flavonoids isolated from plants used as tranquilizers in folkloric med icine have a selective affinity, for central benzodiazepine receptors (BDZ-Rs) and some of them possess a pharmacological profile compatible with a partial agonist action. Synthetic derivatives of the common fl avone nucleus, give rise to high affinity ligands when electronegative groups are introduced in carbons 6 and/or 3'. Representative compound s such as 6,3'-dinitroflavone and, 6-bromo-3'-nitroflavone exhibit a h igh affinity for the BDZ-Rs (Ki = 1.5 to 30 nM) and have anxiolytic ef fects not associated with myorelaxant, sedative or amnesic actions. Th ese compounds or similar ones, could lead to improved therapeutic drug s in the treatment of anxiety.