Picamilon

• CAT Number: M003727
• CAS Number: 62936-56-5
• Molecular Formula: C10H11N2NaO3
• Molecular Weight: 230.199
• Purity: ≥95%
• Synonyms: 4-[(3-pyridinylcarbonyl)amino]-butanoic acid monosodium salt;SODIUM 4-PYRIDIN-3-YLCARBONYLAMINOBUTANOATE;SODIUM PIKAMILONE;NICOTINOYL-GABA SODIUM SALT;PICAMILON;PICAMILON SODIUM;PIKAMILONE SODIUM SALT;PIKAMILON SODIUM
• Storage: -20°C
• IUPAC Name: sodium;4-(pyridine-3-carbonylamino)butanoate
• InChI: InChI=1S/C10H12N2O3.Na/c13-9(14)4-2-6-12-10(15)8-3-1-5-11-7-8;/h1,3,5,7H,2,4,6H2,(H,12,15)(H,13,14);/q;+1/p-1
• InChIKey: DGWZSECHAXUHPD-UHFFFAOYSA-M
• SMILES: C1=CC(=CN=C1)C(=O)NCCCC(=O)[O-].[Na+]

Picamilon (CAS 62936-56-5) is a drug formed by a synthetic combination of niacin and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA).  It can permeate the blood-brain barrier and then is hydrolyzed into GABA and niacin. The released GABA in theory would activate GABA receptors potentially producing an anxiolytic response.

Overview of Clinical Research

Picamilon was developed in the Soviet Union in 1969 and further studied in both Russia and Japan as a prodrug of GABA. In Russia,  it is sold as a prescription drug.

Reference

1: Silkina IV, Gan/'shina TC, Seredin SB, Mirzoian RS. [Gabaergic mechanism of cerebrovascular and neuroprotective effects of afobazole and picamilon]. Eksp Klin Farmakol. 2005 Jan-Feb;68(1):20-4. Russian. PubMed PMID: 15786959.
2: Cui W, Chen X, Zhan Y, Zhang Z, Zhang Y, Zhong D. Determination of picamilon concentration in human plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci. 2010 May 1;878(15-16):1181-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2010.03.013. Epub 2010 Mar 16. PubMed PMID: 20359966.
3: Avula B, Chittiboyina AG, Sagi S, Wang YH, Wang M, Khan IA, Cohen PA. Identification and quantification of vinpocetine and picamilon in dietary supplements sold in the United States. Drug Test Anal. 2016 Mar-Apr;8(3-4):334-43. doi: 10.1002/dta.1853. Epub 2015 Oct 1. PubMed PMID: 26426301.
4: Bugaeva LI, Spasov AA, Verovskiĭ VE, Iezhitsa IN. [Preclinical prognosis of pyracetam and picamilon safety based on acute toxicity data]. Eksp Klin Farmakol. 2003 Jul-Aug;66(4):43-6. Russian. PubMed PMID: 14558352.
5: Likhodeev VA, Spasov AA, Isupov IB, Mandrikov VB. [Effects of aminalon, fenibut, and picamilon on the typological parameters of cerebral hemodynamics in swimmers with dysadaptation syndrome]. Eksp Klin Farmakol. 2009 Jul-Aug;72(4):15-9. Russian. PubMed PMID: 19803364.