Behavioral effects of new compounds based on coumarin in rats

Introduction. A study of the effects of coumarins has not received widespread use in medicine, largely due to the lack of optimal dosage forms, the creation of which is complicated by their poor solubility in water. Currently, studies are underway on the synthesis of macromolecules, combining various structural fragments, which will lead to increased biological activity of the synthesized coumarin derivatives compared to natural coumarins. The aim of this work was to study the central effect of new coumarin-based compounds: IEM-2262, IEM-2263, IEM-2266, IEM-2267 on emotional and research behavior in rats. Methods. Studies have been carried out using battery of tests that are commonly used to study emotional and exploratory behavior: an open field test and an elevated plus maze in rats. The neuroprotector mexidol (200 mg/kg i.p., Farmasoft, Russia) was used as a reference substance. Results. Coumarins (10–50 mg/kg ip) have been shown to have a mild psychotropic, predominantly anti-anxiety and sedative effect. 7-Alkoxycoumarins (IEM-2262 and IEM-2266) and 4-aminocoumarins (IEM-2263 and IEM-2267) have different sensitivity in the open field compared with the effects in the elevated plus maze. Anxiolytic properties appeared in the elevated plus maze after the administration of 4-aminocoumarins (IEM-2263 and IEM-2267). The number of defecation boluses in the open field decreased as a result of the administration of 7-alkoxycoumarins (IEM-2262), which was associated not only with fear of novelty, but to a greater extent with anti-stress action. Thus, the new coumarin derivatives have mild tranquilizing and anti-stress effects and can be used in the future for post-traumatic stress disorders with panic attacks.