RS-102221: a novel high affinity and selective, 5-HT2C receptor antagonist.

The 5-HT2C receptor is one of three closely related receptor subtypes in the 5-HT2 receptor family. 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B selective antagonists have been described. However, no 5-HT2C selective antagonists have yet been disclosed. As part of an effort to further explore the function of 5-HT2C receptors, we have developed a selective 5-HT2C receptor antagonist, RS-102221 (a benzenesulfonamide of 8-[5-(5-amino-2,4-dimethoxyphenyl) 5-oxopentyl]-1,3,8-triazaspiro[4.5]decane-2,4-dione). This compound exhibited nanomolar affinity for human (pKi = 8.4) and rat (pKi = 8.5) 5-HT2C receptors. The compound also demonstrated nearly 100-fold selectivity for the 5-HT2C receptor as compared to the 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B receptors. RS-102221 acted as an antagonist in a cell-based microphysiometry functional assay (pA2 = 8.1) and had no detectable intrinsic efficacy. Consistent with its action as a 5-HT2C receptor antagonist, daily dosing with RS-102221 (2 mg/kg intraperitoneal) increased food-intake and weight-gain in rats. Surprisingly, RS-102221 failed to reverse the hypolocomotion induced by the 5-HT2 receptor agonist 1-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazine (m-CPP). It is concluded that RS-102221 is the first selective, high affinity 5-HT2C receptor antagonist to be described.

2-(Quinuclidin-3-yl)pyrido[4,3-b]indol-1-ones and isoquinolin-1-ones. Potent conformationally restricted 5-HT3 receptor antagonists.

Several series of N-(quinuclidin-3-yl)aryl and heteroaryl-fused pyridones were synthesized and evaluated for 5-HT3 receptor affinity. In the heteroaryl series, 2-(quinuclidin-3-yl)tetrahydropyrido-[4,3-b]indol-1-one (8a) and the 4,5-alkano-bridged analogues (14 and 15) displayed high 5-HT3 receptor affinity with pKi values > 9. The (3S)-quinuclidinyl isomers had > 10 fold higher affinity than the (3R)-isomers. In a series of 2-quinuclidin-3-yl)isoquinolin-1-ones, derivatives substituted with small lipophilic groups (25b-e) and with 4,5-alkano-bridges (34-36) also displayed high affinity. In particular, the hexahydro-1H-benz[de]isoquinolinone (S,S)-37 was the highest affinity 5-HT3 receptor ligand prepared (pKi 10.4). A number of the high affinity ligands were shown to be potent 5-HT3 receptor antagonists in vivo as determined by inhibition of the B-J reflex in the anesthetized rat. Again, (S,S)-37 was the most active agent tested (ID50 0.02 microgram/kg i.v.), and this compound was also potent in blocking cisplatin-induced emesis in both the ferret and the dog. Computer modeling studies were performed, and previously reported 5-HT3 receptor antagonist pharmacophore models were refined to include a key lipophilic binding domain.

Affinity of 2-(tetrahydroisoquinolin-2-ylmethyl)- and 2-(isoindolin-2-ylmethyl)imidazolines for alpha-adrenoceptors. Differential affinity of imidazolines for the [3H]idazoxan-labeled alpha 2-adrenoceptor vs the [3H]yohimbine-labeled site.

A series of 2-(tetrahydroisoquinolin-2-ylmethyl)- and 2-(isoindolin-2-ylmethyl)imidazolines were prepared and tested for alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptor affinity with radioligand binding. Several compounds, 5-fluoro-(5h), 5-chloro-(5j), 5,8-dimethoxy- (5r), and 5,8-dimethoxy- (5r),1-methyl- (5s) 2-(tetrahydroisoquinolin-2- ylmethyl)imidazoline, were found to be selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor ligands on the basis of displacement of [3H]yohimbine from rat cerebral cortical membranes. One compound, 2-[(8-chloro tetrahydroisoquinolin-2-yl)methyl]imidazoline (5m), showed a 36-fold difference in affinity for the [3H]idazoxan-labeled alpha 2-adrenoceptor relative to the [3H]yohimbine-labeled site, which may be evidence for alpha 2-adrenoceptor subtypes.

1,9-Alkano-bridged 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepines with affinity for the alpha 2-adrenoceptor and the 5-HT1A receptor.

A number of 1,9-alkano-bridged 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepines were prepared and evaluated for 5-HT1A receptor and alpha 2-adrenoceptor affinity by using radioligand receptor binding techniques. Several compounds displayed 5-HT1A receptor affinity comparable to, or greater than, the known 5-HT1A ligand buspirone. The highest affinity 5-HT1A receptor ligands were N-alkyl-, N-allyl-5-chloro-, and 5-methoxy-1,2,3,4,8,9,10,10a-octahydronaphth[1,8-cd]azapines (4c, 4m, 4n), which had pKi values of 7.9-8.1. The S enantiomer of 4c had a higher affinity for the 5-HT1A receptor than the corresponding R isomer (pKi of 8.2 for (S)-4c vs 7.7 for (R)-4c). These compounds had a relatively low affinity for the alpha 2-adrenoceptor (pKi of 7 or less). On the other hand, the closely related 5-chloro-2-methyl-2,3,4,8,9,9a-hexahydro-1H-indeno[1,7-cd]azepine (3b) had high affinity for both the alpha 2-adrenoceptor (pKi = 8.1) and 5-HT1A receptor (pKi = 7.6). These results indicate that the two receptors may share common recognition sites.

A new class of antimalarial drugs: derivatives of benzothiopyrans.

A series of substituted benzothiopyrans was synthesized and examined for antimalarial activity. Some were found to be active and curative at dose levels of 160--360 mg/kg against Plasmodium berghei in mice. Afew observations concerning structure-activity relationships were made. The benzothiopyrans were prepared by treatment of either the gem-dichloro- or the thionothioflavone intermediate with various primary amines. The thionothioflavone intermediates were made from thioflavones. Condensation of thiophenols with benzoyl acetates gave the thioflavones.