Synthesis and GABAA receptor activity of a 6,19-Oxido analogue of pregnanolone

Abstract 3α-Hydroxy-6,19-oxidopregn-4-ene-20-one ( 4 ) was prepared in seven steps from pregnanolone acetate. At 0.1 μM concentration 4 significantly increased GABA induced 36 Cl − influx in hamster cerebral cortex synaptoneurosomes while at 20 mg/kg it decreased the percentage of hamsters showing seizures induced by 3-mercaptopropionic acid.