Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Cyclopentaquinoline Derivatives as Nonsteroidal Glucocorticoid Receptor Antagonists.

The steroidal glucocorticoid antagonist mifepristone has been reported to improve the symptoms of depression. We report the discovery of 6-(3,5-dimethylisoxazol-4-yl)-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9-hexahydro-1H-cyclopenta[h]quinolin-3-one 3d (QCA-1093) as a novel nonsteroidal glucocorticoid receptor antagonist. The compound displayed potent in vitro activity, high selectivity over other steroid hormone receptors, and significant antidepressant-like activity in vivo.