Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of L-dopa amide derivatives as potential prodrugs for the treatment of Parkinson's disease

A range of amide derivatives of L-dopa were synthesized and investigated for their pharmacological activity and their ability to be converted to L-dopa using the unilaterally 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rat, as an experimental model of Parkinson's disease. The diacetyl derivative of L-dopa amide (11b) was found to be more active than L-dopa after its oral administration and generated plasma levels of L-dopa in the therapeutic range for an antiparkinsonian effect in man. (C) 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.