ZK-93426
Encyclopedia
ZK-93426 is a drug from the beta-carboline
family. It acts as a weak partial inverse agonist
of benzodiazepine receptors, meaning that it causes the opposite effects to the benzodiazepine
class of drugs and has anxiogenic
properties, although unlike most benzodiazepine antagonists it is not a convulsant
and actually has weak anticonvulsant effects. In human tests it produced alertness, restlessness and feelings of apprehension, and reversed the effect of the benzodiazepine lormetazepam
. It was also shown to produce nootropic
effects and increased release of acetylcholine
.
Beta-carboline
β-Carboline is an organic amine that is the prototype of a class of compounds known as β-carbolines.-Pharmacology:...
family. It acts as a weak partial inverse agonist
Inverse agonist
In the field of pharmacology, an inverse agonist is an agent that binds to the same receptor as an agonist but induces a pharmacological response opposite to that agonist....
of benzodiazepine receptors, meaning that it causes the opposite effects to the benzodiazepine
Benzodiazepine
A benzodiazepine is a psychoactive drug whose core chemical structure is the fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring...
class of drugs and has anxiogenic
Anxiogenic
An anxiogenic substance is one that causes anxiety. Anxiogenic effects can be measured by, for example, the hole-board test in rats and mice. A number of agents are used to provoke anxiety or panic in experimental models...
properties, although unlike most benzodiazepine antagonists it is not a convulsant
Convulsant
A convulsant is a drug which induces convulsions and/or epileptic seizures, the opposite of an anticonvulsant. These drugs generally act as stimulants at low doses, but are not used for this purpose due to the risk of convulsions and consequent excitotoxicity...
and actually has weak anticonvulsant effects. In human tests it produced alertness, restlessness and feelings of apprehension, and reversed the effect of the benzodiazepine lormetazepam
Lormetazepam
Lormetazepam Lormetazepam Lormetazepam (INN, or methyl-lorazepam, is a drug which is a short to intermediate acting 3-hydroxy benzodiazepine derivative. It possesses hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, sedative and skeletal muscle relaxant properties....
. It was also shown to produce nootropic
Nootropic
Nootropics , also referred to as smart drugs, brain steroids, memory enhancers, cognitive enhancers, and intelligence enhancers, are drugs, supplements, nutraceuticals, and functional foods that improve mental functions such as cognition, memory, intelligence, motivation, attention, and concentration...
effects and increased release of acetylcholine
Acetylcholine
The chemical compound acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter in both the peripheral nervous system and central nervous system in many organisms including humans...
.