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| Other names | DM-235 |
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| Formula | C14H18N2O2 |
| Molar mass | 246.310 g·mol−1 |
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Sunifiram (developmental code nameDM-235) is anexperimental drug which hasantiamnesic effects inanimal studies and with significantly higherpotency thanpiracetam.[1] Sunifiram is a molecular simplification ofunifiram (DM-232).[2] Another analogue issapunifiram (MN-19).[3] As of 2016, sunifiram had not been subjected totoxicology testing, nor to any humanclinical trials, and is not approved for use anywhere in the world.[1]
Themechanism of action of sunifiram is unknown.[1] Sunifiram, as well as unifiram, were assayed at a wide panel of sites, including the most importantreceptors,ion channels, andtransporters, but showed noaffinity for any of the sites.[1][3] They specifically did not bind to theglutamate,GABA,serotonin,dopamine,adrenergic,histamine,acetylcholine, oropioid receptors at concentrations of up to 1 μM.[1][3] In addition, the drugs were tested on recombinantAMPA receptors and showed no potentiation of the receptors, indicating that they do not act asAMPA receptor positive allosteric modulators.[1] However, they were able to prevent theamnesia induced by the AMPA receptorantagonistNBQX in the passive avoidance test, suggesting thatindirect/downstream AMPA receptor activation may be involved in their memory-enhancing effects.[3] It is reported that sunifiram stimulatesCaMKII andPKCα pathways, and that this action depends on the activation of glycine site ofNMDA receptors.[4][5]
Sunifiram, as well as other nootropics such as piracetam,levetiracetam, andaniracetam are able to antagonize inhibition ofglucose transport bybarbiturates (e.g.,pentobarbital),diazepam, and certain other drugs in humanerythrocytesin vitro (Ki = 26.0 uM for sunifiram), and this action has been found to correlate with their potency in reversingscopolamine-induced memory deficits in mice.[3] However, this action has been regarded as very unlikely to represent the main mechanism of action of sunifiram.[1]
