Saripidem has a similar pharmacological profile to the benzodiazepine family of drugs including sedative and anxiolytic properties, but its chemical structure is quite different from that of the benzodiazepine drugs, and saripidem is described as a nonbenzodiazepine.
The mechanism of action by which saripidem produces its sedative and anxiolytic effects is by modulating the benzodiazepine binding site on GABAA receptors, however unlike many older GABAAagonists, saripidem is highly subtype selective and binds primarily to the ω1 subtype.[1]
References
↑"Behavioural effects of novel benzodiazepine (omega) receptor agonists and partial agonists: increases in punished responding and antagonism of the pentylenetetrazole cue". Behavioural Pharmacology6 (2): 116–126. March 1995. doi:10.1097/00008877-199503000-00003. PMID11224318.