Dopamine D(3) receptor antagonists. 1. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 5,6-dimethoxy-N-alkyl- and N-alkylaryl-substituted 2-aminoindans.

5,6-Dimethoxy-2-(N-dipropyl)-aminoindan (3, PNU-99194A) was found to be a selective dopamine D(3) receptor antagonist with potential antipsychotic properties in animal models. To investigate the effects of nitrogen substitution on structure-activity relationships, a series of 5,6-dimethoxy-N-alkyl- and N-alkylaryl-substituted 2-aminoindans were synthesized and evaluated in vitro for binding affinity and metabolic stability. The results indicate that substitution at the amine nitrogen of the 2-aminoindans is fairly limited to the di-N-propyl group in order to achieve selective D(3) antagonists. Thus, combinations of various alkyl groups were generally inactive at the D(3) receptor. Although substitution with an N-alkylaryl or N-alkylheteroaryl group yields compounds with potent D(3) binding affinity, the D(2) affinity is also enhanced, resulting in a less than 4-fold preference for the D(3) receptor site, and no improvements in metabolic stability were noted. A large-scale synthesis of the D(3) antagonist 3 has been developed that has proven to be reproducible with few purification steps. The improvements include the use of 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde as a low-cost starting material to provide the desired 5,6-dimethoxy-1-indanone 5c in good overall yield (65%) and the formation of a soluble silyl oxime 17 that was reduced efficiently with BH(3).Me(2)S. The resulting amino alcohol was alkylated and then deoxygenated using a Lewis acid and Et(3)SiH to give the desired product 3 in good overall yield of ( approximately 65%) from the indanone 5c.

Structure-activity relationships in the 8-amino-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-3H-benz[e]indole ring system. 2. Effects of 8-amino nitrogen substitution on serotonin receptor binding and pharmacology.

A series of analogs of the potent and selective 5-HT1A agonist 8-(di-n-propylamino)-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-3H-benz[e]indole-1-carbaldehyde (2b) (OSU191) was prepared in which the dipropylamino group was modified to bear a variety of substituents. These compounds were evaluated for both in vitro and in vivo effects, including the establishment of a receptor binding profile for these analogs at the 5-HT1A, dopamine D-2, dopamine D-3, 5-HT1D alpha, and 5-HT1D beta sites. Several of the analogs were evaluated for their biochemical effects in reserpinized rats, specifically with regard to in vivo changes in brain levels of 5-HTP and DOPA. Nearly all of the compounds prepared for this study were exceedingly potent at the 5-HT1A receptor, although most also displayed significant affinity for the dopamine D-2 receptor. A strong preference for the 5-HT1D alpha over the 5-HT1D beta receptor was also apparent. An analog bearing a butylglutarimide side chain, S-7k, was extremely selective for the 5-HT1A receptor. Although this compound possessed a Ki of 0.6 nM, it elicited only modest changes in 5-HTP brain levels. However, this compound did not appear as an antagonist when tested in a cyclic-AMP-based intrinsic activity assay.

C-9 and N-substituted analogs of cis-(3aR)-(-)-2,3,3a,4,5,9b-hexahydro-3- propyl-1H-benz[e]indole-9-carboxamide: 5-HT1A receptor agonists with various degrees of metabolic stability.

Closely related analogs of the 5-HT1A receptor agonist cis-(3aR)-(-)-2,3,3a,4,5,9b-hexahydro-3-propyl-1H-benz[e]indole-9- carboxamide (1, U93385) were synthesized and pharmacologically evaluated. 9-Carboxamide analogs with varied nitrogen substitution (R2) were synthesized, and their serotonergic activity was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Many of these compounds were incubated in the presence of rat hepatocytes, and the metabolic stability in vitro was compared to that of compound 1. Only the N-methyl and N-ethyl analogs ((-)-5a and (-)-5b) were more stable than compound 1, indicating that N-dealkylation is a major route of metabolism in this series. In addition, these analogs were found to be partial 5-HT1A receptor agonists in vivo. Modifications were also made to the carboxamide functionality of compound 1 (R1 in 2) to yield substituted amides or ketones. Among these analogs, the methyl ketone (-)-15a was found to be a 5-HT1A agonist with full intrinsic activity in vivo and was approximately 20 times more potent than compound 1 and 5 times more potent than 8-OH-DPAT.

Synthesis and biological activity of cis-(3aR)-(-)-2,3,3a,4,5,9b-hexahydro- 3-propyl-1H-benz[e]indole-9-carboxamide: a potent and selective 5-HT1A receptor agonist with good oral availability.

The synthesis and biological activity of cis-(3aR)-(-)-2,3,3a,4,5,9b- hexahydro-3-propyl-1H-benz[e]indole-9-carboxamide ((-)-3a), U93385, is described. The cis racemate and its enantiomer as well as the corresponding trans enantiomers were also synthesized and evaluated. The synthesis of these analogs was achieved via either a four-step conversion of the 9-hydroxy precursor into 9-carboxamide or an alternative synthesis using the (R)-alpha-methylbenzyl group as the chiral auxiliary. The cis racemate (+/-)-3a, was found to be a selective and potent 5-HT1A receptor agonist with the activity residing in the cis-(3aR)-enantiomer, (-)-3a. The cis-(3aS)-enantiomer (+)-3a and trans-(3aR)-enantiomer (-)-3b displayed partial 5-HT1A agonist activity whereas the other trans-(3aS)-enantiomer (+)-3b showed no activity. The enantiomer (-)-3a was found to be selective in both in vitro and in vivo biochemical/behavioral assays. This compound potently reduced rectal temperature in mice, decreased the firing rate of rat midbrain serotonergic neurons, and suppressed rat brain 5-HT synthesis. This compound also reduced sympathetic nerve discharge and blood pressure in the anesthetized cat and showed activity in the forced swim assay in mice. It exhibited good oral activity in behavioral and biochemical assays and, in fact, had a 46% oral availability in the rat when comparing blood levels of parent drug after iv and po administration. This compound has demonstrated a potential for anxiolytic and antidepressant activity and is currently undergoing clinical evaluation.

Comparison of 5-HT1A and dopamine D2 pharmacophores. X-ray structures and affinities of conformationally constrained ligands.

Conformational and molecular mechanics studies of a new series of tricyclic ligands with affinity for either the dopamine D2 receptor or the 5-HT1A receptor, or both, has enabled us to elaborate considerably on previous pharmacophore models for these receptors. The new tricyclic ligands are either angular, 2,3,3a,4,5,9b-hexahydro-1H-benz[e]indole derivatives, or linear, 2,3,3a,4,5,9a-hexahydro-1H-benz[f]indole derivatives; they have either cis or trans ring junctions, and many of the ligands are resolved. In order to have X-ray crystal coordinates for every structural type, two additional crystal structures were determined: 14a, the trans-(+-)-6-hydroxy-3-(n-propyl) angular derivative as the hydrochloride, and (+-)-1,2,2a,3,4,8b-hexahydro-8-methoxy-2-(2-propenyl)-naphth[2,1- b]azetidine hydrochloride (16d). Several recently reported imidazoquinolinones with dopaminergic and serotonergic activities were also used in developing the models as were other known ligands which are conformationally constrained. A new method for determining intrinsic activity at the D2 receptor made consistent and reliable estimates of dopamine agonist, partial agonist, and antagonist activities available. The models explain these activities in terms of the 3-dimensional structural features of the ligands and their probable orientations at the D2 receptor site. They also explain why allyl and propyl analogs of some structures have very different affinities while affinities are quite similar for allyl and propyl analogs of other structures; at both receptors a particular orientation of the amine substituent in the binding site correlates with preference for allyl over propyl derivatives. Suggestions are made for enhancing selectivity at the 5-HT1A receptor or at the dopamine D2 receptor. An angular, cis, (3aR,9bS), 2-propyl, 9-hydroxy, 3-(n-propyl) analog should be selective for the 5-HT1A receptor. A linear, trans, (3aR,9aS), 7-hydroxy, 1-(2-propenyl) analog should be selective for the dopamine D2 receptor, and would be predicted to be an antagonist.

Centrally acting serotonergic and dopaminergic agents. 1. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 2,3,3a,4,5,9b-hexahydro-1H-benz[e]indole derivatives.

The synthesis and structure-activity relationships (SAR) of 2,3,3a,4,5,9b-hexahydro-1H-benz[e]indole derivatives (3) are described. These compounds are conformationally restricted, angular tricyclic analogs of 2-aminotetralin. The synthesis was achieved in several steps from the corresponding 2-tetralones. The enantiomers of the cis analogs were obtained from either fractional recrystallizations of the diastereomeric salts of di-p-toluoyl-L-(or D)-tartaric acid or an asymmetric synthesis using chiral (R)-alpha-methylbenzylamine. All analogs were evaluated in the in vitro 5-HT1A and D2 binding assays and selected analogs were investigated further in biochemical and behavioral tests. Analogs with 9-methoxy substitution (R1 in 3) showed mixed 5-HT1A agonist and dopamine antagonist activities whereas the corresponding 9-hydroxy analogs displayed selective 5-HT1A agonist activity. The cis analogs were found to be more potent than the corresponding trans analogs and in the cis series, the (3aR)-(-)-enantiomers displayed higher potency. Nitrogen substitution (R2 in 3) with either an n-propyl or an allyl group produced similar activities whereas replacement with a bulky alpha-methylbenzyl group resulted in loss of activity. Analogs without aromatic substitution (R1 = H in 3) still showed good 5-HT1A agonist activity, although less potent than the 9-methoxy series. In this case, the trans analogs possessed equal or higher in vitro 5-HT1A affinity than the corresponding cis analogs. Analogs with either 6-methoxy or 6-hydroxy substitution (R1 in 3) were found to display dopamine antagonist properties. However, only N-allyl analogs showed this activity. In the 6-methoxy-N-allyl series, the cis analog was found to be more potent than the trans analog. Again, between the pair of cis enantiomers, the (3aR)-(-)-enantiomer showed higher potency. Incorporation of an additional methyl group into 9-methoxy cis analogs at C-2 resulted in retention of potent 5-HT1A agonist activity.

Centrally acting serotonergic and dopaminergic agents. 2. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 2,3,3a,4,9,9a-hexahydro-1H-benz[f]indole derivatives.

The conformationally restricted linear tricyclic analogs of 5- and 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)-tetralins were investigated for their serotonergic and dopaminergic properties. These cis and trans analogs of 2,3,3a,4,9,9a-hexahydro-1H-benz[f]indole (3), where a five-membered ring is fused between the nitrogen and C-3 carbon of 2-aminotetralin, were synthesized from 5-methoxy- and 8-methoxytetralones. The enantiomers of trans-5-methoxy-N-n-propyl and -N-allyl analogs were obtained via fractional recrystallization of their di-p-toluoyl-L (or D) tartaric acid salts. All analogs were evaluated in the in vitro 5-HT1A and D2 binding assays and selected analogs were investigated further in biochemical and behavioral tests. In the 5-substituted series (R1 in 3), the trans isomers were found to possess higher levels of pharmacological activity then the corresponding cis isomers. The trans-5-methoxy analogs showed selective 5-HT1A receptor activity in vitro but displayed mixed 5-HT1A and D2 agonist properties in vivo. The corresponding trans-5-hydroxy analogs were found to be potent D2 agonists with full intrinsic activity. An examination of nitrogen substitution (R2 in 3) revealed that analogs with either an allyl or an n-propyl group displayed equipotent activities. Substitution with a cyclopropylmethyl or benzyl group resulted in reduced activity. Among the resolved analogs tested, the activity was found to reside exclusively in the (3aS)-(-)-enantiomers. In the 8-substituted series (R1 in 3), only 8-methoxy-N-allyl analogs were synthesized and evaluated. In this case, both cis and trans isomers showed equally weak in vitro 5-HT1A receptor agonist activity devoid of dopaminergic effects. The presence of an additional methyl group at the C-2 position (R3 in 3) of the cis-(+/-)-8-methoxy-N-n-propyl analog resulted in enhancement of in vitro 5-HT1A receptor binding affinity, with the (2 beta,3a alpha,9a alpha)-(+/-)-isomer displaying potency 35 times greater than the (2 alpha,3a alpha,9a alpha)-(+/-)-isomer.

Centrally acting serotonergic agents. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of C-1- or C-3-substituted derivatives of 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin.

The synthesis and structure-activity relationships (SAR) of C-1- or C-3-substituted derivatives of 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) are described. These analogs were synthesized via alkylation of the tetralone derivatives followed by reductive amination. All of the analogs were inactive at the dopamine D2 receptor. Among the 8-OMe or 8-OH C-1,N-disubstituted analogs synthesized, the cis analogs were more potent in the 5-HT1A binding assay than the corresponding trans analogs. However, in the case of 1-(cyclopropylmethyl)-N-n-propyl analogs, the trans isomer has a slightly higher 5-HT1A affinity than its cis counterpart. The order of binding potency for C-1 substitution was found to be allyl > hydroxymethyl > n-propyl > cyclopropylmethyl >> carbomethoxy. Interestingly, the 5-OMe analogs were found to be inactive in both the 5-HT1A and dopamine D2 binding assays. In the C-3 allyl-substituted analogs, 5-HT1A agonist activity was found to be considerably lower. In these examples, the trans analogs showed weak 5-HT1A binding activity whereas the cis analogs were inactive. Analogs with C-1,N,N-trisubstitution also showed a marked decrease in 5-HT1A binding affinity. Overall, the SAR study showed that cis C-1 substitution maintains the 5-HT1A agonist activity of 8-OH-DPAT whereas trans C-1 substitution displays somewhat diminished activity. On the other hand, the trans C-3 substitution shows modest agonist activity whereas cis C-3 substitution removes the activity completely.

The dopamine D3-receptor: a postsynaptic receptor inhibitory on rat locomotor activity.

We report on the pharmacological effects of the 20 fold D3 vs. D2 dopamine receptor preferring compound U99194A. It is shown that U99194A increases rat locomotor activity at doses that do not increase release or utilisation of dopamine in the striatum or the nucleus accumbens significantly. The data do not support any direct agonist action of U99194A at dopamine receptors. It is suggested that U99194A can antagonise a population of postsynaptic dopamine receptors involved in the suppression of some aspects of psychomotor activity. These postsynaptic receptors presumably belong to the D3 receptor subtype.