Discovery of efficient stimulators for adult hippocampal neurogenesis based on scaffolds in dragon's blood

Reduction of hippocampal neurogenesis caused by aging and neurological disorders would impair neural circuits and result in memory loss. A new lead compound (N-trans-3′,4'-methylenedioxystilben-4-yl acetamide 27) has been discovered to efficiently stimulate adult rats' neurogenesis. In-depth structure-activity relationship studies proved the necessity of a stilbene scaffold that is absent in highly cytotoxic analogs such as chalcones and heteroaryl rings and inactive analogs such as diphenyl acetylene and diphenyl ethane, and validated the importance of an NH in the carboxamide and a methylenedioxy substituent on the benzene ring. Immunohistochemical staining and biochemical analysis indicate, in contrast to previously reported neuroprotective chemicals, N-stilbenyl carboxamides have extra capacity for neuroproliferation-type neurogenesis, thereby providing a foundation for improving the plasticity of the adult mammalian brain. N-stilbenyl carboxamides are discovered as novel and efficient stimulators with the capacity of promoting neuroproliferation-type neurogenesis at sub-milligram per kg doses. [Display omitted] •Certain N-stilbenyl carboxamides promote neuroproliferation-type neurogenesis.•Certain N-stilbenyl carboxamides are effective at low doses of sub-milligram per kg.•N-Stilbenyl carboxamides are achiral and readily accessible.