nebicapone

Nebicapone is a small molecule, reversible, and tight-binding peripheral inhibitor of the enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT). It was developed as an adjunct therapy to levodopa/DDCI for the treatment of motor fluctuations in Parkinson's disease. Nebicapone increases the bioavailability of levodopa by inhibiting its methylation to 3-O-methyldopa, thereby prolonging its therapeutic effect. The drug is structurally related to other nitrocatechols such as entacapone and tolcapone but shows greater peripheral selectivity and does not significantly penetrate the brain. Clinical trials demonstrated that nebicapone effectively reduced "off" time in Parkinson's patients when used with standard dopaminergic therapy. However, development was discontinued due to concerns about hepatotoxicity, including elevated liver enzymes[1][5][6][7].

Other names

3-nitro-5-phenylacetyl catechol