3-Methyl-6-(prop-1-en-2-yl)cyclohex-3-ene-1,2-diol: the Importance of Functional Groups for Antiparkinsonian Activity

Compounds with different sets of three of the four functional groups of (1R,2R,6S)-3-methyl-6-(prop-1-en-2- yl)cyclohex-3-ene-1,2-diol 1 possessing high antiparkinsonian activity were synthesized. The synthesized compounds were tested for the antiparkinsonian activity in vivo on a mouse model with MPTP neurotoxin. A pronounced antiparkinsonian effect of 1 can only be achieved if it contains all the four functional groups (two hydroxy groups and two double bonds). The 2-hydroxy group or the 3,4-double bond is not required for stimulating the exploratory activity of the animals.