ABSTRACT
The synthesis and SAR of a novel 3-benzazepine series of 5-HT2C agonists is described. Compound 7d (lorcaserin, APD356) was identified as one of the more potent and selective compounds in vitro (pEC50 values in functional assays measuring [(3)H]phosphoinositol turnover: 5-HT2C = 8.1; 5-HT2A = 6.8; 5-HT2B = 6.1) and was potent in an acute in vivo rat food intake model upon oral administration (ED50 at 6 h = 18 mg/kg). Lorcaserin was further characterized in a single-dose pharmacokinetic study in rat (t1/2 = 3.7 h; F = 86%) and a 28-day model of weight gain in growing Sprague-Dawley rat (8.5% decrease in weight gain observed at 36 mg/kg b.i.d.). Lorcaserin was selected for further evaluation in clinical trials for the treatment of obesity.
Subject(s)
Anti-Obesity Agents/chemical synthesis , Benzazepines/chemical synthesis , Obesity/drug therapy , Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Agonists , Animals , Anti-Obesity Agents/pharmacokinetics , Anti-Obesity Agents/pharmacology , Benzazepines/pharmacokinetics , Benzazepines/pharmacology , Cell Line , Eating/drug effects , Humans , Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate/metabolism , Male , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Stereoisomerism , Structure-Activity Relationship , Weight Gain/drug effectsABSTRACT
We report on the synthesis, biological evaluation and structure-activity relationships for a series of 3-benzazepine derivatives as 5-HT(2C) receptor agonists. The compounds were evaluated in functional assays measuring [3H] phosphoinositol turnover in HEK-293 cells transiently transfected with h5-HT(2C), h5-HT(2A) or h5-HT(2B) receptors. Several compounds are shown to be potent and selective 5-HT(2C) receptor agonists, which decrease food intake in a rat feeding model.