Abstract
Theanine (gamma-N-ethylglutamine) is an abundant non-protein derived amino acid that occurs naturally in he tea plant (Camellia sinensis), and is known to perform physiological functions, such as mind relaxation, improvement in sleep disturbances, suppression of blood pressure elevation, antioxidation of LDL cholesterol, modulation of neurotransmission, neuro protection, anti hypertension, enhancement of anti tumor activity. Because of their modulating health properties, the synthesis of thence, classic or enzymatic, is always actual. In the present work firstly we suggested a new way to synthesize gamma-N-ethyl glutamine and its derivatives from L-Glutamic acid (CBz-Glu-OBzl) and different alkyl amine using iso-butylchloroformate as coupling reagent (Scheme 1 and 3). The synthesis of L-theanine has been developed by microwaves irradiations (MAOS) under solvent free conditions (Scheme 2). Secondly a series gamma-glutamic acid dipeptides has been synthesized (Schema 4). Finely compounds were tested for their effects on glutamatergic synapses in CNS on hyppocampal neuron cultures.