KR-31378

KR-31378 is a small molecule drug and mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel opener developed as a neuroprotective and cardioprotective agent. It has demonstrated protective effects in preclinical models of retinal ischemia and cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury, including glaucoma and heart failure. In retinal models, KR-31378 reduced ischemic injury-induced ganglion cell loss and intraocular pressure. In cardiac models, it suppressed hypertrophy in cultured heart cells and improved cardiac function in rats with heart failure. The primary mechanism involves activation of mitochondrial KATP channels, but it also has direct antioxidant effects, reducing oxidative stress-induced cell death independent of KATP channel opening. The drug has chiefly been investigated by Korean pharmaceutical companies for its neuroprotective and cardioprotective properties[1][2][3][4][5][8].