Benzofuroindole Analogues as Potent BKCa Channel Openers

Toward drugs to treat neuronal damage. The design and synthesis of new, potent, large-conductance, calcium-activated potassium-channel (BKCa) openers that show calcium-independent activation in electrophysiological evaluations have been brought about through optimizing the structure of the benzofuroindole skeleton by comparison with a known BKCa-channel opener (BMS-204352; see scheme). These new channel openers might find therapeutic use in stroke, asthma, hypertension, convulsion, and traumatic brain injury.