Conformationally constrained butyrophenones with affinity for dopamine (D(1), D(2), D(4)) and serotonin (5-HT(2A), 5-HT(2B), 5-HT(2C)) receptors: synthesis of aminomethylbenzo[b]furanones and their evaluation as antipsychotics.

A series of novel conformationally restricted butyrophenones (6-aminomethyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo[b]furan-4-ones bearing 4-(6-fluorobenzisoxazolyl)piperidine, 4-(p-fluorobenzoyl)piperidine, 4-(o-methoxyphenyl)piperazine, 4-(2-pyridyl)piperazine, 4-(2-pyrimidinyl)piperazine, or linear butyro(or valero)phenone fragments) were prepared and evaluated as antipsychotic agents by in vitro assays for affinity for dopamine receptors (D(1), D(2), D(4)) and serotonin receptors (5-HT(2A), 5-HT(2B), 5-HT(2C)), by neurochemical studies, and by in vivo assays for antipsychotic potential and the risk of inducing extrapyramidal side effects. Potency and selectivity depended mainly on the amine fragment connected to the cyclohexanone structure. Compounds 20b, with a benzoylpiperidine moiety, and 20c, with a benzisoxazolyl fragment, were selective for 5-HT(2A) receptors. The in vitro and in vivo pharmacological profiles of N-[(4-oxo-4,5,6, 7-tetrahydrobenzo[b]furan-6-yl)methyl]-4-(p-fluorobenzoyl)piperidine (20b, QF1003B) and N-[(4-oxo-4,5,6, 7-tetrahydrobenzo[b]furan-6-yl)methyl]-4-(6-fluorobenzisoxazol-3-yl)p iperidine (20c, QF1004B) suggest that they may be effective as antipsychotic (neuroleptic) drugs.

Study of the in vivo and in vitro cardiovascular effects of four new analogues of ketanserin: implication of 5-HT2A and alpha1 adrenergic antagonism in their hypotensive effect.

The in vivo and in vitro cardiovascular effects of the novel 5-HT2A/alpha1/H1 antagonist ketanserin analogues QF 0303B, QF 0307B, QF 0311B, QF 0313B were studied in anaesthetized normotensive rats (ANR) and in isolated rubbed rat aorta (IRRA). In ANR, 0.2 mg x kg(-1) i.v. of each compound produced a rapid, remarkable but short-lasting fall in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) accompanied by bradycardia. All compounds significantly modified the pressor effects induced by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and noradrenaline (NA). In IRRA, the compounds inhibited NA- and 5-HT-induced contractions in a competitive fashion. Furthermore, the analogues displayed lower H1-antagonist activity than ketanserin. Compounds tested showed low 5-HT2B affinity and no activity at muscarinic, nicotinic, or 5-HT3 receptors, nor any marked ability to produce smooth muscle relaxation via calcium entry blockade. There is a significant correlation between hypotension reached and inhibition of the 5-HT-induced pressor responses (but not for NA). A certain degree of correlation was observed between hypotensive effect endurance vs. alpha1-adrenoceptor blockade (but not for serotonin). These results indicate that in this series the brief hypotensive activity in ANR is attributed to a 5-HT1A receptor blockade and the duration of the effect is better attributed to an alpha1 adrenoceptor blockade.

Butyrophenone analogues in the carbazole series as potential atypical antipsychotics: synthesis and determination of affinities at D(2), 5-HT(2A), 5-HT(2B) and 5-HT(2C) receptors.

We describe practical and efficient routes for synthesis of 2-aminomethyl-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-ones using the Fischer indole synthesis or palladium-catalysed cyclization methodologies, as well as their affinities for D(2), 5-HT(2A) and 5-HT(2C) receptors, and their activity at the 5-HT(2B) receptor. The most active compounds, 4b (QF 2003B) and 4c (QF 2004B), with a pK(i) (5-HT(2A)/D(2)) ratio of 1.28 show a potential antipsychotic profile according to Meltzer's classification.

Conformationally constrained butyrophenones with mixed dopaminergic (D(2)) and serotoninergic (5-HT(2A), 5-HT(2C)) affinities: synthesis, pharmacology, 3D-QSAR, and molecular modeling of (aminoalkyl)benzo- and -thienocycloalkanones as putative atypical antipsychotics.

A series of novel conformationally restricted butyrophenones (2-(aminoethyl)- and 3-(aminomethyl)thieno- or benzocycloalkanones bearing (6-fluorobenzisoxazolyl)piperidine, (p-fluorobenzoyl)piperidine, (o-methoxyphenyl)piperazine, or linear butyrophenone fragments) were prepared and evaluated as atypical antipsychotic agents by in vitro assays of affinity for dopamine receptors (D(1), D(2)) and serotonin receptors (5-HT(2A), 5-HT(2C)) and by in vivo assays of antipsychotic potential and the risk of inducing extrapyramidal side effects. Potency and selectivity depended mainly on the amine fragment connected to the cycloalkanone structure. As a group, compounds with a benzisoxazolyl fragment had the highest 5-HT(2A) activities, followed by the benzoylpiperidine derivatives; in general, alpha-substituted cycloalkanone derivatives were more active than the corresponding beta-substituted congeners. CoMFA (comparative molecular field analysis) and docking studies showed electrostatic, steric, and lipophilic determinants of 5-HT(2A) and D(2) affinities and 5-HT(2A)/D(2) selectivity. The in vitro and in vivo pharmacological profiles of N-[(4-oxo-4H-5, 6-dihydrocyclopenta[b]thiophene-5-yl)ethyl]-4-(6-fluorobenzisox azol-3 -yl)piperidine (23b, QF 0510B), N-[(4-oxo-4,5,6, 7-tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene-5-yl)ethyl]-4-(6-fluorobenzisoxazol- 3-y l)piperidine (24b, QF 0610B), and N-[(7-oxo-4,5,6, 7-tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene-6-yl)ethyl]-4-(6-fluorobenzisoxazol- 3-y l)piperidine (29b, QF 0902B) suggest that they may be effective antipsychotic drugs with low propensity to induce extrapyramidal side effects.

Pyridazines. XVIII. 6-Aryl-3(2H)-pyridazinones inhibit calcium influx in stimulated platelets.

6-Phenyl-5-hydroxymethyl-4,5-dihydro-3(2H)-pyridazinone (1) and 6-thienyl-5-hydroxymethyl-4,5-dihydro-3(2H)-pyridazinone (2) inhibit platelet aggregation induced by thrombin (IC50 = 0.25 and 0.26 mM, respectively) or by the calcium ionophore ionomycin (IC50 = 0.42 and 0.43 mM, respectively). Pyridazinones 1 and 2 also show concentration-dependent attenuation of the increases in platelet cytosolic free calcium concentration induced by thrombin and ionomycin, suggesting that their antiaggregatory activity may be due to their capacity to inhibit the passage of calcium through the cytoplasmic membrane. This effect may be implicated in other pharmacological activities of 6-aryl-5-substituted-pyridazinones.

Pyridazine derivatives XIV. Study of the vasorelaxant action of 6-aryl-5-piperidino-3-hydrazinopyridazines in isolated rat thoracic aorta: comparison with hydralazine.

1. For several years we have been working on the synthesis of modified hydrazinopyridazines which have proved to possess remarkable vasorelaxant and antihypertensive activity. We now report the vasodilator effects of three novel 6-aryl-5-piperidino-3-hydrazinopyridazines (1a, 1b and 1c), structurally related to the well-known antihypertensive drug hydralazine. 2. Hydralazine and the new hydrazinopyridazines relaxed, in a concentration-dependent and nonspecific way, the contractions elicited by noradrenaline or a high K+ concentration in rat aortic rings with or without endothelium. According to the IC50 (50% inhibitory concentrations) values obtained, the vasorelaxant potency of the new compounds was greater than that of hydralazine. 3. In a Ca2+-free medium, the contractions provoked by noradrenaline or caffeine were significantly inhibited by the new hydrazinopyridazines and by hydralazine. 4. Hydralazine and the novel molecules did not significantly modify basal, noradrenaline- or K+-induced 45Ca2+ uptake. 5. These results suggest that 1a, 1b and 1c have an endothelium-independent vasorelaxant activity greater than that of hydralazine in isolated rat aortic rings, which seems not to be mediated by a blockade of transmembrane Ca2+ movements through specific channels. This effect could be due, at least in part, to an intracellular mechanism of action.

Butyrophenone analogues in the carbazole series: synthesis and determination of affinities at D2 and 5-HT2A receptors.

We describe a practical and efficient route for synthesis of 2-aminomethyl-1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-4H-carbazol-4-ones using an effective Fisher indole methodology. The most active compounds, 4b (QF 2003B) and 4c (QF 2004B), with pKi (5-HT2A/D2) ratio of 1.28 show an antipsychotic profile according to Meltzer's classification.

Pyridazines. XIII. Synthesis of 6-aryl-5-oxygenated substituted-3(2H)-pyridazinones and evaluation as platelet aggregation inhibitors.

Several 6-aryl-5-oxygenated substituted pyridazinones have been synthesized and evaluated in vitro for inhibition of platelet aggregation induced by adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP), thrombin and collagen. All the tested compounds (except 8 and 9) inhibited platelet aggregation in a dose-dependent manner. The IC50 of the most active substance, compound 2b, was around 60 microM against ADP and collagen as inducers. The inhibition of platelet aggregation caused by test compounds was dependent on the level of oxidation of the function at the 5-position, with the order of IC50 values being R-OH (2a, b, 5) < R-CHO (6, 7) < < R-COOH (8, 9). None of the tested compounds increased the intracellular levels of cAMP, indicating a lack of inhibitory activity on cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE III) in intact cells. These results suggest that the group present at the 5 position of 6-aryl-5-substituted pyridazinones determines the platelet aggregation-inhibitory activity, and that a mechanism other than PDE inhibition is responsible for this effect.

Synthesis and affinities for dopamine (D2) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT2A) receptors of 1-(benzoylpropyl)-4-(1-oxocycloalkyl-2-ethyl)-piperazines as cyclic butyrophenone derivatives.

Starting from benzo- or thienocycloalkaneacetic acids, we have prepared a series of 1-(3-p-fluorobenzoylpropyl)-4-(1-oxo-benzo- or thienocycloalkyl-2-ethyl)piperazines 8a-e containing both semirigid and linear butyrophenones pharmacophores. The affinities of these compounds for dopamine (D2) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT2A) receptors were evaluated in vitro in receptor-binding assays and in functional experiments. The ratios of pKi's for 5-HT2A/D2 receptors may be useful for rapid screening of new compounds and assessing potential induction of extrapyramidal symptoms; ratio values > or = 1.12 (Meltzer's ratio) are predictive of an atypical antipsychotic profile. The new molecules had a ratio in the range of 0.96-1.11 while haloperidol showed a ratio of 0.93. The 2-piperazinoethyl thiotetralone derivative 8d (QF 0506B) with a ratio of 1.11 was the most active compound.

Synthesis and atypical antipsychotic profile of some 2-(2-piperidinoethyl)benzocycloalkanones as analogues of butyrophenone.

Four new 2-(2-piperidinoethyl)benzocycloalkanone derivatives, 20-23, were prepared and evaluated as potential antipsychotic agents in receptor binding assays for dopamine (DA) and 5-HT2A receptors and in functional and behavioral screens. Their affinities for D2 receptors (Ki's in the nanomolar range: 46.7-70.7) and D1 receptors (Ki's in the micromolar range: 1.09-2.81) were slightly lower than that showed by haloperidol (Ki's in the nanomolar range: 5.01 and 97.72 for D2 and for D1 receptors, respectively). The ratio of pKi's values D1/D2 showed that the new molecules are more D2-selective than haloperidol. In contrast, in the [3H]-ketanserin binding assays the new compounds had greater affinity for 5-HT2A receptors (pKi's 7.89-8.60) than haloperidol (pKi 7.70) and in functional studies, endothelium-stripped aorta rings, the pA2 values (6.75-8.12) were slightly lower than that of ketanserin (8.87) in suppressing serotonin-induced contractions. The pKi's for D2 binding (and to a lesser extent pKi's for D1 binding) tend to be greater among typical (classical) than among atypical antipsychotics, while these two classes of antipsychotics exhibit no difference with regard to pKi's for 5-HT2A receptors. The ratios of pKi's for 5-HT2A/D2 receptors may be useful for rapid screening of new compounds, and its potential induction of extrapyramidal symptoms (ratio values > 1.12 were predictive of an atypical antipsychotic profile). The new molecules had a ratio value in the range 1.08-1.20, while haloperidol showed a ratio of 0.93. In the behavioral screening tests, the new molecules showed antagonist activity of amphetamine-inducing hyperactivity and apomorphine-induced climbing (predictive tests for antipsychotic activity). In the catalepsy test (predictive test for induction of extrapyramidal symptoms), the values obtained were in accordance with an atypical antipsychotic drugs profile.

Synthesis and potential anthelmintic activity of methyl-5-(4-salicyloyl-piperazin-1-yl)-benzimidazole-2-carbamates.

A series of methyl-5-(4-salicyloyl-piperazin-1-yl)-benzimidazole-2-carba mates (IX) has been prepared. 5-(4-Salicyloyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-nitro anilines (VII) have been synthesized starting from 5-piperazino-2-nitro anilines and salicyloyl chlorides. Catalytic reduction of VII with Pd/C, followed by treatment with 1,3-dicarbomethoxy-S-methyl isothiourea, yielded the corresponding carbamates (IX), the anthelmintic activity of which was studied. Compound IXa significantly reduced the numbers of preadults, adults and encysted T. spiralis larvae in experimental mice.

Pyridazine derivatives. XI: Antihypertensive activity of 3-hydrazinocycloheptyl[1,2-c]pyridazine and its hydrazone derivatives.

3-Hydrazinocycloheptyl[1,2-c]pyridazine (4) and its hydrazone derivatives 3-[N1-(isopropylidene)]hydrazinocycloheptyl[1,2-c]pyridazine [correction of hydrazinocyclohexyl] (5) and 3-[N1-(isobutylidene)]hydrazinocycloheptyl[1,2-c]pyridazine (6) were prepared, and their activity against genetic, neurogenically-induced, and deoxycorticosterone acetate -NaCl-induced hypertension was found to be at least as great as that of hydralazine. The results of studying vasorelaxation of rat aorta by 4 and hydralazine suggest that both these compounds owe their antihypertensive activity to direct relaxation of vascular smooth muscle.

Synthesis and antidopaminergic activity of some 3-(aminomethyl)tetralones as analogues of butyrophenone.

Starting from beta-benzoylpropionic acid we synthesized 3-(aminomethyl)tetralones in which the amino substituent was 4-(N-piperazinyl)-p-fluorobutyrophenone, 4-benzoylpiperidine, 4-hydroxy-4-phenylpiperidine or 4-(o-methoxyphenyl)piperazine. The possible dopamine antagonist activity of these compounds was investigated in both "in vitro" and "in vivo" experiments. These compounds potently inhibited [3H]spiperone binding to D2 striatal receptors and moderately inhibited [3H]SCH-23390 binding to D1 striatal receptors (Kis in the nanomolar and micromolar ranges, respectively). Apomorphine-induced stereotypies and amphetamine group toxicity were antagonized, to different extents, by the compounds under study, with a potency similar to that of haloperidol. Interestingly, no catalepsy was observed after administration of the new compounds (2-8 mg/kg). The most active compounds "in vivo" 14 and 15 possessed two butyrophenone pharmacophores. However, the tetralone moiety appeared not critical for their antidopaminergic activity, since all target compounds were less active than haloperidol. These studies provide a pharmacological basis for future research on these new compounds devoid of cataleptogenic activity.

Piperazine derivatives of benzimidazole as potential anthelmintics. Part 1: Synthesis and activity of methyl-5-(4-substituted piperazin-1-yl)benzimidazole-2-carbamates.

A series of 5-(4-substituted piperazin-1-yl)-2-nitroanilines (4) and 5-(4-substituted piperazin-1-yl)benzimidazole-2-carbamates (6) has been synthesized starting from 5-chloro-2-nitroaniline (3) and N-monosubstituted piperazines. Catalytic reduction of 4 with Pd/C followed by treatment with 1,3-dicarbomethoxy-S-methylisothiourea yielded the corresponding methyl-5-(4-substituted piperazin-1-yl)benzimidazole-2-carbamates (6) which were for anthelmintic activity against experimental infections of Trichinella spiralis.

Pyridazine derivatives, VII. Synthesis and hypotensive activity of 3-hydrazinocycloalkyl[1,2-c]pyridazines and their derivatives.

The preparation of a series of 3-hydrazinocycloalkyl[1,2-c]pyridazines 7 and some derivatives as hydrazones 8, 9, triazoles 10 and pyrroles 11 are described together with their hypotensive activity in normotensive rats.

Preparation of beta-aminomethyl-beta-benzoylpropionic acids and related cis beta-aminomethyl-gamma-phenyl-gamma-butyrolactones as potential antibacterial agents.

The synthesis of beta-aminomethyl-beta-benzoylpropionic acids (V) and beta-aminomethyl-gamma phenylbutyrolactones (VI) is described. The cis stereochemistry of compounds VI was unambiguously established by NOE experiments carried out with Vla. Antibacterial activity was studied; MIC of each derivate was determined by agar dilution in Muller-Hinton medium and application of Steers' replicator.