Histone deacetylase inhibitor (IC50 = 400 μM) that exhibits anticancer, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Displays anticonvulsive activity via an increase in GABA levels and decreases Aβ production in animal models of Alzheimer's disease. Also attenuates NMDA-mediated excitation, blocks voltage-gated Na+ channels and modulates firing of neurons. Enables induction of pluripotent stem cells from somatic cells by Oct4 and Sox2.