Novobiocin analogues as neuroprotective agents and in the treatment of autoimmune disorders

The method for treating a neurodegenerative disorder or autoimmune disorder comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of one or more compounds according to Formula I

• wherein R1 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, carbocylic, heterocyclic, aryl, aralkyl, carboxyl, amido, amino, sulfanyl, sulfenyl, sulfonyl, or ether;
• or R1 together with X4 and the atom to which R1 is attached form a heterocyclic ring having 4 to 8 ring members with at least one heteroatom selected from oxygen or nitrogen;
• wherein R2 is hydrogen, hydroxy, or —R8—OR9, wherein R8 is a covalent bond or alkyl, and R9 is C-amido or acyl;
• or R2 together with R3 and the atoms to which they are attached form a heterocyclic ring having 4 to 8 ring members with at least one heteroatom selected from oxygen or nitrogen;
• wherein R3 is hydrogen, hydroxy, or —R10—O—R11, wherein R10 is a covalent bond or alkyl, and R11 is C-amido or acyl;
• or R3 together with R2 and the atoms to which they are attached form a heterocyclic ring having 4 to 8 ring members with at least one heteroatom selected from oxygen or nitrogen;
• wherein R4 is hydrogen, methyl hydroxy, carboxyl, —R12—O—R13, or —R12—R14,
• wherein R12 is a covalent bond or alkyl, and R13 is C-amido or acyl, and R14 is N-amido, —POR15R16, —SO2R17, or sulfonamido and wherein R15, R16, R17 are independently alkoxy;
• wherein R5 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, or aralkyl;
• wherein R6 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, or aralkoxy;
• wherein X1 is —O—, or —CO—;
• wherein X2 is —O— or —CO—,
• wherein X4 is —CR20—, wherein R20 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl;
• or wherein X4 together with R1 and the atoms to which they are attached form a heterocyclic ring having 4 to 8 ring members with at least one heteroatom selected from oxygen or nitrogen;
• wherein X5, is —CR21—, wherein R21 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl;
• wherein X6, is —CR22—, wherein R22 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, aryl, aralkyl, halogen, or nitro;
• wherein X8, is —CR23—, wherein R23 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl;
• wherein X9 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, ether, secondary or tertiary amino, or sulfanyl;
• wherein n is 0, 1, 2, or 3.