Neurochemical effects of minaprine, a novel psychotropic drug, on the central cholinergic system of the rat

A Systematic Review on Donepezil-based Derivatives as Potential Cholinesterase Inhibitors for Alzheimer’s Disease

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Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a multifactorial progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by memory loss, disorientation, and gradual deterioration of intellectual capacity. Its etiology has not been elucidated yet. To date, only one therapeutic approach has been approved for the treatment of AD. The pharmacotherapy of AD has relied on noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist - memantine, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors (AChEIs) - tacrine, donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine. Donepezil was able to ameliorate the symptoms related to AD mainly via AChE, but also through reduction of β-amyloid burden. This review presents the overview of donepezilrelated compounds as potential anti-AD drugs developed on the basis of cholinergic hypothesis to act as solely AChE and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitors.

3-Benzidino-6(4-chlorophenyl) pyridazine blocks delayed rectifier and transient outward potassium current in acutely isolated rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons

3-[(beta-morpholinoethyl)amino]-4-methyl-6-phenylpyridazine (minaprine) is an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor. 3-Benzidino-6(4-chlorophenyl) pyridazine (BCP) and minaprine have a central pyridazine ring in common. In this study, we investigated the effects of BCP on delayed rectifier potassium current (IK(DR)) and transient outward potassium current (IK(A)) in acutely isolated rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons by using whole-cell patch-clamp technique. IK(DR) and IK(A) were inhibited by BCP (0.01-500 microM) in a concentration-dependent and voltage-dependent manner. The IC50 value for the blocking action of BCP on IK(DR) and IK(A) was calculated as 7.13+/-0.18 microM and 0.55+/-0.11 microM, respectively. At the concentration of 10 microM, BCP shifted the activation curve of IK(DR) to positive potential by 29.09 mV. Meanwhile, at the concentration of 10 microM, BCP also shifted the activation and inactivation curve of IK(A) to positive potential by 34.18 and 22.47 mV, respectively. In conclusion, BCP potently inhibits IK(DR) and IK(A) in rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons.

Selective optimization of side activities: the SOSA approach

Selective optimization of side activities of drug molecules (the SOSA approach) is an intelligent and potentially more efficient strategy than HTS for the generation of new biological activities. Only a limited number of highly diverse drug molecules are screened, for which bioavailability and toxicity studies have already been performed and efficacy in humans has been confirmed. Once the screening has generated a hit it will be used as the starting point for a drug discovery program. Using traditional medicinal chemistry as well as parallel synthesis, the initial 'side activity' is transformed into the 'main activity' and, conversely, the initial 'main activity' is significantly reduced or abolished. This strategy has a high probability of yielding safe, bioavailable, original and patentable analogues.

Aminopyridazines as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors

Following the discovery of the weak, competitive and reversible acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-inhibiting activity of minaprine (3c) (IC50 = 85 microM on homogenized rat striatum AChE), a series of 3-amino-6-phenylpyridazines was synthesized and tested for inhibition of AChE. A classical structure-activity relationship exploration suggested that, in comparison to minaprine, the critical elements for high AChE inhibition are as follows: (i) presence of a central pyridazine ring, (ii) necessity of a lipophilic cationic head, (iii) change from a 2- to a 4-5-carbon units distance between the pyridazine ring and the cationic head. Among all the derivatives investigated, 3-[2-(1-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)ethylamino]-6-phenylpyridazine (3y), which shows an IC50 of 0.12 microM on purified AChE (electric eel), was found to be one of the most potent anti-AChE inhibitors, representing a 5000-fold increase in potency compared to minaprine.1

Effect of Hachimi-jio-gan on scopolamine-induced memory impairment and on acetylcholine content in rat brain

The effect of Hachimi-jio-gan (HJ) on scopolamine induced memory impairment was studied using a radial maze performance, the effect of HJ on the central cholinergic system as measured by acetylcholine (ACh) content, choline acetyltransferase (CAT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities was also examined. HJ (0.01-1.0 g/kg, p.o.) showed no influence on the radial maze performance. However, with the administration of scopolamine (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.), the number of the correct choices decreased and the number of the error choices increased. HJ (0.1 and 0.5 g/kg, p.o.) reduced this scopolamine-induced cognitive disturbance. The effect of HJ on ACh content and enzyme activities in the brain, frontal cortex, hippocampus and striatum was also investigated. In normal rats, HJ (0.1 and 0.5 g/kg, p.o. x 7 days) significantly increased ACh content in the frontal cortex, although it did not increased ACh content in the hippocampus. In scopolamine-treated rats, ACh content decreased in the brain regions examined. HJ (0.5 g/kg, p.o.) inhibited a decrease in ACh content in the frontal cortex, and with the same dosage of HJ increased CAT activity in the frontal cortex and AChE activity in the hippocampus. These results suggest that the behavioral effects of HJ may be related to its effect on the central cholinergic system.

Effects of subchronic minaprine on dopamine release in the ventral striatum and on immobility in the forced swimming test

Subchronic (5 mg/kg daily for 9 consecutive days) but not acute minaprine treatment enhanced in vivo dopamine release in the limbic part of the striatum of rats as revealed by intracerebral microdialysis. Moreover, the same subchronic treatment with minaprine reduced immobility in the forced swimming test. The anti-immobility effect of minaprine was not evident after a single injection of the antidepressant. Finally, the subchronic treatment with minaprine was devoid of effects in an activity test. These results suggest that enhanced dopaminergic transmission may contribute to the pharmacological and clinical profile of this drug.

Post-training minaprine enhances memory storage in mice: involvement of D1 and D2 dopamine receptors

Post-training administration of minaprine (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg) dose-dependently improved retention of an inhibitory avoidance response in mice. Animals receiving nine daily injections of 5 mg/kg and administered a challenge dose post-training showed an improvement in memory consolidation similar to that produced by acute injection of 10 mg/kg. The effects on retention performance induced by the drug appear to be due to an effect on memory consolidation. They were observed when drugs were given at short, but not long, periods of time after training, i.e. when the memory trace was susceptible to modulation. Moreover, these effects are not to be ascribed to an aversive or a rewarding or non-specific action of the drugs on retention performance, as the latencies during the retention test of those mice that had not received a footshock during training were not affected by post-training drug administration. The effects of an acutely injected dose (10 mg/kg) of minaprine as well as those of a challenge dose (5 mg/kg) of the drug administered to repeatedly treated animals were reversed by pretreatment with either selective D1 or D2 dopamine receptor antagonists SCH 23390 and (-)-sulpiride administered at per se non-effective doses (0.025 and 6 mg/kg, respectively), thus suggesting that D1 and D2 receptor types are similarly involved in the effects of minaprine on memory consolidation. These results show that minaprine improves memory consolidation and that repeated drug administration leads to potentiation of this effect. Moreover, the effects of minaprine on memory consolidation are related to its dopaminergic action.

Minaprine facilitates acquisition and retrieval of an active avoidance response in the rat

The nootropic activity of 3-(2-morpholino-ethylamino)-4-methyl-6-phenyl-pyridazine dihydrochloride (minaprine) has been investigated in intact male, adult Long Evans rats by means of an active avoidance paradigm. In the light-dark box apparatus, the rat had to learn the active avoidance response of going out of the normally preferred dark chamber to avoid electric foot-shocks. These were administered during one trial per day for 3 consecutive days (acquisition period). After a 72-h interval, rats underwent, for 3 consecutive days, one trial per day in which punishments were omitted (retrieval period). In the first experiment, rats were injected IP with minaprine (5, 10, and 25 mg/kg b.w.) 30 min before each trial of both periods. Rats injected with the two lower dosages showed better responding during the retrieval period than controls (saline). On the contrary, the highest dosage impaired active avoidance during both periods. In Experiment 2, minaprine (10 mg/kg b.w.) was administered either only during the acquisition or only during the retrieval period. In both instances, active avoidance was equally enhanced, if compared to controls (saline), only during the retrieval period. The results are discussed on the basis of the known facilitating activity on cholinergic systems of this compound. It is concluded that minaprine acts positively both on acquisition and retrieval of mnemonic traces.

Cholinomimetic activity of minaprine is related to the amelioration of delayed neuronal death in gerbils

We attempted to determine if the cholinomimetic activity of the psychotropic drug minaprine was related to the amelioration of the delayed neuronal death induced by cerebral ischemia in Mongolian gerbils. Minaprine improved the passive avoidance deficit induced by cerebral ischemia, and the histopathological ischemic neuronal changes in the hippocampal CA1 neurons were diminished. These effects were completely inhibited by treatment with the cholinergic blocker scopolamine. Rectal temperature fell about 1.5 degrees C immediately after cerebral ischemia and hyperthermia occurred 30 and 60 min after recirculation. Minaprine had no effect on body temperature before or after ischemia. Physostigmine and tetrahydroaminoacridine (THA), drugs which stimulate the cholinergic system, improved passive avoidance deficits and prevented the delayed neuronal death. These effects of physostigmine and THA were completely inhibited by scopolamine. Pentobarbital and diazepam also improved the passive avoidance deficit and prevented the destruction of CA1 neurons. In contrast with minaprine, these effects of pentobarbital and diazepam were not inhibited by scopolamine. As the protective effect of minaprine against ischemia-induced delayed neuronal death is related to cholinomimetic activities, these events differ from those seen with pentobarbital and diazepam.

Minaprine cancels scopolamine effects on the rat's acquisition of passive avoidance responses in two multitrial paradigms

The antiamnesic activity of minaprine has been studied in male Wistar rats. Two multitrial paradigms were employed: the light-dark box test (aversive stimulus: 0.6-mA foot-shocks) and the tail-handling test (aversive stimulus: manual tail-handling). In both paradigms, intraperitoneal scopolamine administration 30 min before testing significantly impaired the acquisition of the passive avoidance conditioned response. There were no significant differences in either paradigm between control rats and those to whom scopolamine and minaprine were simultaneously administered. These results show that minaprine fully protects the acquisition process of conditioned responses against scopolamine impairment not only in one-trial tests but also in multitrial paradigms. The effects of minaprine in reversing memory deficits are discussed in relation to its stimulating activity on central cholinergic systems.

Disposition of minaprine in animals and in human extensive and limited debrisoquine hydroxylators

1. The disposition of 14C-minaprine was studied after oral administration of 5 and 20 mg/kg to rats, dogs and macaques, and of 200 mg to human volunteers with a genetic status of either limited or extensive hydroxylation of debrisoquine. 2. The drug was readily absorbed and a large proportion of the administered radioactivity was excreted within 48 h. The total excretion over 5 days ranged from 83% in monkeys to almost 100% in human with a status of extensive hydroxylators. 3. In the two limited hydroxylators Cmax values of total radioactivity in plasma were 4.6 and 3.7 mg equiv/l respectively. Those in the two extensive hydroxylators were 1.9 and 1.6 respectively. The highest value in the animal species was 8.1 in rats at a dose of 20 mg/kg. Plasma Cmax values of minaprine were 4.0 and 1.4 mg/l in limited hydroxylators and 0.35 and 0.23 mg/l in extensive ones. The highest value in the animal species was 2.7 mg/l in dogs treated with 20 mg/kg. 4. In rats and dogs, the ratios of the plasma AUC values for 20 mg/5 mg doses were close to those of the ratios of the doses administered, whereas in the macaque a slower clearance of radioactivity occurred with the higher dose (t 1/2 beta 5.5 h at 5 mg/kg dose versus 25.7 h at 20 mg/kg dose). 5. Marked species differences were observed in the metabolic pathways. The dog and limited hydroxylators showed higher levels of minaprine and its N-oxide (M4) whereas p-hydroxy-minaprine (M3) prevailed in monkey, rat and extensive hydroxylators. 6. In dogs only, seizures appeared within 10-15 min after dosage with minaprine at 20 mg/kg, when the concentrations of minaprine in erythrocytes (6.9 mg/l) and of M4 in plasma (0.40 mg/l) and erythrocytes (0.25 mg/l), were high. 7. The measurements and clinical observations indicate that onset of an adverse behavioural response in humans is unlikely at the dose of 200 mg.

Blockade of voltage-dependent 42K efflux from rat brain synaptosome by minaprine and tetrahydroaminoacridine

The effect of minaprine (3-(2-morpholinoethylamino)-4-methyl-6-phenylpyridazine) on the K+ channels was studied by means of 42K efflux from rat brain synaptosomes, comparing the effects of 4-aminopyridine and 9-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine (THA). 42K efflux from rat brain synaptosomes was classified into five components: a resting component (R), a rapidly inactivating, voltage-dependent component (T), a slowly inactivating, voltage-dependent component (S) and a voltage-dependent, Ca(2+)-dependent component which is divided into a fast phase (CT) and a slower phase (CS). 4-Aminopyridine selectively inhibited 42K efflux of component T. THA blocked both S and T components. The inhibitory effect of THA on the 42K efflux of component S was quite pronounced compared with that of component T. Minaprine inhibited the 42K efflux of components S and T but the inhibitory effect on component S was observed with a lower dose of minaprine than that needed for the effect on component T. Minaprine had no effect on the Ca(2+)-dependent component while THA blocked component CT. 42K efflux of the resting component was not changed by minaprine, THA or 4-aminopyridine. These results suggest that minaprine blocks Ca2+ independent voltage-dependent K+ channel is involved in the pharmacological actions of minaprine.

Protective effects of minaprine in infarction produced by occluding middle cerebral artery in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

1. We examined the effects of minaprine on cerebral infarction produced by occluding of unilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) above the rhinal fissure in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). 2. Oral administration of minaprine (60 mg/kg/day) and vehicle were started 30 min after the occlusion of MCA, and continued for 6 days. 3. The brain was dissected out and 36 coronal multiple sections of the whole brain were histologically prepared to determine the location and extension of infarction. 4. The infarcted area produced by the occlusion of MCA was limited to the cerebral cortex. 5. Body weight of the minaprine-treated rats gradually decreased within 4 days after the occlusion of MCA and thereafter increased, whereas in the vehicle-treated rats, there was a gradual decrease during the experimental period. 6. Size of the infarcted area was serially measured, in each section, using a microcomputer imaging device. In all animals with an occluded MCA, there was a typical pattern of ischemic damage. 7. Post-treatment of MCA occluded SHRSP with minaprine resulted in reduction in infarct size, as compared to findings in the vehicle-treated controls. 8. The pharmacological and histopathological effects of minaprine on the progress of cerebral infarction produced by the occlusion of MCA in SHRSP are discussed.

Minaprine improves impairment of working memory induced by scopolamine and cerebral ischemia in rats

Using a repeated acquisition procedure in a three-panel runway apparatus, the effects of minaprine on the impairment of working memory produced by scopolamine, ethylcholine aziridinium ion (AF64A) or cerebral ischemia were investigated in rats. Minaprine (3.2-32 mg/kg IP) as well as idebenone (10-100 mg/kg IP) and physostigmine (0.1-0.32 mg/kg IP) dose-dependently reduced the increase of errors (pushes made on the two incorrect panels located at each choice point) induced by 0.56 mg/kg IP scopolamine. Cerebral ischemia for 5 min caused a significant increase of errors in the runway task. Minaprine at 3.2 and 10 mg/kg administered IP immediately after blood recirculation and again 30 min before the runway test conducted 24 h after ischemia, significantly reduced increases in errors expected to occur after 5 min of ischemia. Physostigmine 0.1 mg/kg similarly attenuated the increase in errors in ischemic rats. However, minaprine at doses up to 32 mg/kg IP failed to reduce the increase of errors induced by AF64A 2.5 nmol injected into the dorsal hippocampus. These findings suggest that minaprine exerts an ameliorating effect on amnesia produced by scopolamine and cerebral ischemia, probably through mediation of its stimulant action on central cholinergic systems.

Effect of minaprine on cycloheximide-induced amnesia in mice

The effects of minaprine on cycloheximide-induced amnesia were investigated in a step-down passive avoidance task in mice. Minaprine significantly improved cycloheximide-induced amnesia. This effect was inhibited by scopolamine, but was potentiated by physostigmine. The anti-amnesic effect of minaprine on the cycloheximide-induced memory impairment was also antagonized by a serotonin (5-HT) releaser, p-chloroamphetamine, and by a 5-HT precursor, 5-hydroxytryptophan, whereas a 5-HT1A-selective agonist, 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin, was inactive. The memory-improving effect of minaprine on cycloheximide-induced amnesia was potentiated by a selective 5-HT2 antagonist, ritanserin. These results suggest that the beneficial effect of minaprine on cycloheximide-induced amnesia may be related not only to cholinergic but also serotonergic neuronal systems (5-HT2 receptors).

Cholinomimetic activities of minaprine

The cholinomimetic activities of the antidepressant drug minaprine have been investigated, in vitro and in vivo, in rodents. Minaprine, and its metabolite SR 95070B [3-(2-morpholinoethylamino)-4-methyl-6-(2-hydroxyphenyl) pyridazine hydrochloride] selectively displaced [3H]-pirenzepine from its cortical and hippocampal binding sites, and only weakly inhibited the binding of [3H]-N-methylscopolamine in either the rat cerebellum, heart and salivary glands, or the guinea-pig ileum. In mice, none of these drugs induced the typical cholinergic side-effects up to lethal doses. Minaprine and SR 95070B antagonized rotations induced by an intrastriatal injection of pirenzepine in mice, after intraperitoneal and/or oral administration. Minaprine also antagonized atropine-induced mydriasis in mice. Both minaprine and SR 95070B potentiated the tremorigenic effect of oxotremorine without inducing tremor when injected alone. Finally, minaprine and SR 95070B, after parenteral and/or oral injection, antagonized the scopolamine-induced deficit in passive avoidance learning, and enhanced short-term retention in the social memory test, in rats. The muscarinic agonists arecoline, oxotremorine and RS 86 [2-ethyl-8-methyl-2,8 diazaspiro-4,5 decan-1,3 dion hydrobromide], as well as the acetylcholine esterase inhibitors physostigmine and tacrine were active in most of these models. These results indicate that minaprine, and its metabolite SR 95070B, have cholinomimetic activities which could be, at least in part, mediated by their selective affinity for M1 muscarinic receptors. Thus minaprine could represent a potential useful drug for the treatment of senile dementias and cognitive impairments occurring in elderly people.

Pre-clinical evaluation of cognition enhancing drugs

1. The need of the treatment of cognitive impairment due to aging or dementia has led to the search for potential cognition enhancing drugs. The various compounds presently under development represent an alternative to the cholinomimetic therapy and include new chemical entities as well as piracetam and its newer analogs. 2. Recent results from pre-clinical evaluation of the effects on learning on memory are summarized. Emphasis is put on learning and memory experiments under normal and pathological conditions. Most of the nootropics attenuate experimental amnesias induced by scopolamine, cycloheximide, ECS, hemicholinium-3 or forebrain ischemia. These findings suggest that the nootropics may be influencing a common mechanism underlying the amnesias. 3. Biochemical data suggest a potential cholinergic neuronal activity of some of the piracetam analogs. They increase high-affinity choline uptake, and antagonize scopolamine- and ECS-induced decreases in acetylcholine concentrations in the hippocampus. The mode of action of these and all other nootropic compounds, however, is still not known. 4. Despite the interesting results from learning and memory studies and from biochemical investigations, the clinical relevance of these results for amelioration of the cognitive impairment in humans remains to be proven for most of the compounds.

Effect of minaprine on synaptic transmission in the neocortex of the rat in vivo

The effects of minaprine and/or excitatory amino acid antagonists on transcallosal responses were examined in urethane-anesthetized rats. The transcallosal response was recorded from the surface of the anterior neocortex, following electrical stimulation of the contralateral corpus callosum. The transcallosal response consisted of a biphasic positive-negative waveform. Intravenously-administered minaprine increased the amplitude of the positive- and negative-waves, in a dose-dependent manner. Intracortical injection of (+/-)-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (APV) and gamma-D-glutamylglycine (DGG) reduced the amplitude of the negative-wave, with no effects on the amplitude of the positive-wave. L-Glutamate diethylester (GDEE) had no effect on the transcallosal response. The minaprine-induced increase in the amplitude of the negative-wave was completely antagonized by simultaneous intracortical injections of APV and DGG which, per se, did not affect that transcallosal response. In contrast, APV and DGG had no effect on the increase in the amplitude of the positive-wave induced by minaprine. The enhancing effect of minaprine on the transcallosal response remained unaltered in case of an intracortical injection of GDEE. These findings indicate that the negative-wave of the transcallosal response may be related to receptors for excitatory amino acids. The possibility that the pharmacological action of minaprine on synaptic transmission in the neocortex may be linked to the excitatory amino acid receptors warrants further attention.

Effects of minaprine, a novel antidepressant, on prolactin secretion in the rat

The effect of minaprine, a novel psychotropic drug with antidepressant properties, on prolactin secretion has been investigated in the rat. On intraperitoneal administration (10 and 20 mg kg-1) it significantly decreased basal prolactin levels. In contrast, both haloperidol (1 mg kg-1 i.p.) and morphine (20 mg kg-1 i.p.) increased serum prolactin levels and daily treatment with oestradiol (100 micrograms kg-1 s.c.) for 4 days also elevated the levels. Minaprine at a dose of 20 mg kg-1 failed to antagonize the elevation of serum prolactin levels induced by these drugs. The results imply that minaprine may not exert a direct inhibitory action on prolactin secretion at the pituitary gland.

Disposition and metabolism of minaprine in the rat

After iv. injection (5 mg/kg) to rats, minaprine is cleared rapidly from plasma with an elimination t 1/2 of 34 min. After the same dose but given orally the drug is rapidly absorbed from the rat gastrointestinal tract. The ratio of the area under the curves (AUC) of the parent drug indicates low bioavailability (5%). Two metabolites of minaprine (M3 and M5) appeared rapidly in rat plasma and far exceed minaprine concentrations. Other known urinary metabolites of the drug were undetectable in rat plasma and brain within the limits of the sensitivity of the method. Minaprine rapidly enters the central nervous system and then distributes almost evenly in various regions beyond the blood/brain barrier. It concentrates in brain tissue reaching concentrations two-three times those in plasma. It metabolites enter the brain less rapidly and their brain AUC never reached 50% of the plasma AUC.