A synthetic overview of new molecules with 5-HT1A binding affinities

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel serotonin and dopamine receptor ligands being 6-bromohexyl saccharine derivatives

Due to numerous side effects of current antidepressants, the search for new, safer bioactive compounds is still a valid research topic in medical chemistry. In our research we decided to synthesize and determine SAR for new hexyl arylpiperazines (LACPs) derivated with saccharin moiety. High biological activity has been explained using molecular modelling methods. The compounds obtained show high affinity for the 5-HT_1A (compound 18, K_i = 4 nM - antagonist mode) and D₂ (compound 15, K_i = 7 nM - antagonist mode) receptor, and in some cases also 5-HT₇ receptor (compound 17, K_i = 20 nM). A preliminary ADME analysis showed that the compounds exhibit CNS drugability properties. We have proved that carbon-chain lengthening may have a beneficial effect on increasing the activity towards serotonin and dopamine receptors.

Synthesis, in vitro and in vivo pharmacological evaluation of serotoninergic ligands containing an isonicotinic nucleus

Isonicotinamide derivatives, linked to an arylpiperazine moiety, were prepared and their affinity to 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors were evaluated. The combination of structural elements (heterocyclic nucleus, alkyl chain and 4-substituted piperazine) known to play critical roles in affinity for serotoninergic receptors and the proper selection of substituents led to compounds with high specificity and affinity towards serotoninergic receptors. In binding studies, several molecules showed high affinity in nanomolar and subnanomolar range at 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors and moderate or no affinity for other relevant receptors (D1, D2, α1 and α2). N-(3-(4-(bis(4-fluorophenyl)methyl)piperazin-1-yl)propyl)isonicotinamide (4s) with Ki = 0.130 nM, was the most active and selective derivative for the 5-HT1A receptor compared to other serotoninergic, dopaminergic and adrenergic receptors. Compound 4o, instead, showed 5-HT2A affinity values in subnamolar range. Moreover, the compounds having better affinity and selectivity binding profile towards 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors were selected in order to be tested by in vitro and in vivo assays to determine their functional activity.

Synthesis, preclinical evaluation and molecular modelling of macrocyclic appended 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine for 5-HT1A neuroreceptor imaging

An efficient approach in the design and synthesis of a multi-functional chelating agent based on 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine for targeting 5-HT_1A receptors in brain was envisaged.

Synthesis and biological screening of novel indolalkyl arenes targeting the serotonine transporter

A series of functionalized indolylalkylarenes 3-16(a and b) were synthesized and their affinities for the serotonin transporter were investigated in vitro. Compounds 3-12(a and b) were obtained by nucleophilic substitution of 3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propyl-4-methylbenzenesulfonates 2(a and b) with a series of azaheterocycles. Compounds 14-16(a and b) were prepared in a two-step sequence by reaction of 3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-2-methylpropanal with substituted 1,2-phenylenediamines. Compounds 3b, 4b, and 5b showed good binding affinities (K(i) = 33.0, 48.0, and 17 nM, respectively). The other synthesized compounds showed moderate or no affinity in the binding studies.

5-HT(1A) receptor: an old target as a new attractive tool in drug discovery from central nervous system to cancer

The serotonin receptor subtype 5-HT(1A) was one of the first serotonin receptor subtypes pharmacologically characterized. This receptor subtype has long been object of intense research and is implicated in the pathogenesis and treatment of anxiety and depressive disorders. In recent years, new chemical entities targeting the 5-HT(1A) receptor (alone or in combination with other molecular targets) have been proposed for novel therapeutic uses in neuroprotection, cognitive impairment, Parkinson's disease, pain treatment, malignant carcinoid syndrome, and prostate cancer. This Perspective compares existing data on expression and signaling activity of the 5-HT(1A) receptor to a ligand with an intrinsic agonist or antagonist profile. Our purpose is also to make a complete overview, useful for underlining the features needed to select a specific pharmacological profile rather than another one. This aspect could be really interesting to consider and justify the 5-HT(1A) receptor as a new attractive target for drug discovery.

New arylpiperazines with flexible versus partly constrained linker as serotonin 5-HT(1A)/5-HT(7) receptor ligands

A series of new long-chain arylpiperazine (LCAP) derivatives with flexible and partly constrained alkyl linker were synthesized and investigated in vitro as potential serotonin 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(7) receptor ligands. The compounds were prepared by a two-step procedure using naphthalimide and 2H-1,3-benzoxazine-2,4(3H)-dione as imides, and 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine (o-OMe-PhP) and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (THIQ) as amine pharmacophores. Modifications of the spacer structure included introduction of flexible penta- and hexamethylene chains as well as partly constrained m- and p-xylyl moieties. In general, the new compounds were more active at the 5-HT(1A) than at the 5-HT(7) receptor, and the o-OMe-PhP derivatives displayed higher affinities than their respective THIQ analogs. The spacer modifications had little effect on the observed in vitro activities. Within the o-OMe-PhP series, except for a small binding reduction for ligands containing the m-xylyl moiety, there was no substantial change in the compounds' potency at both receptors, while for the THIQ derivatives a clear structure-activity relationship was visible only for the interaction of the compounds with the 5-HT(7) receptor, which strongly favored flexible analogs.

Synthesis, docking studies and biological evaluation of benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl-3-(4-arylpiperazin-1-yl)-propan-1-one derivatives on 5-HT1A serotonin receptors

A series of novel benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl-3-(4-arylpiperazin-1-yl)-propan-1-one derivatives 6a-f, 7a-f and their corresponding alcohols 8a-f were synthesized and evaluated for their affinity towards 5-HT(1A) receptors. The influence of arylpiperazine moiety and benzo[b]thiophene ring substitutions on binding affinity was studied. The most promising analogue, 1-(benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl)-3-(4-(pyridin-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl)propan-1-one (7e) displayed micromolar affinity (K(i) = 2.30 μM) toward 5-HT(1A) sites. Docking studies shed light on the relevant electrostatic interactions which could explain the observed affinity for this compound.

New 5-Hydroxytryptamine1A Receptor Ligands Containing a Norbornene Nucleus: Synthesis and in Vitro Pharmacological Evaluation

New arylpiperazine derivatives were prepared to identify highly selective and potent ligands for the 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A (5-HT(1A)) receptor as potential pharmacological tools in studies of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. The combination of structural elements (heterocyclic nucleus, oxyalkyl chain, and arylpiperazine) known to introduce 5-HT(1A) receptor affinity and the proper selection of substituents led to compounds with higher receptor specificity and affinity. In binding studies, several molecules showed affinity in the nanomolar and subnanomolar ranges at 5-HT(1A) and moderate to no affinity for other relevant receptors (5-HT(2A), 5-HT(2C), D(1), D(2), alpha(1), and alpha(2)). The 4-[3-[4-(o-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]propoxy]-4-aza-tricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]dec-8-ene-3,5-dione, with K(i) = 0.021 nM, was the most active and selective derivative for the 5-HT(1A) receptor with respect to other serotonin receptors, whereas the most selective derivative for dopaminergic and adrenergic receptors was a CF(3)-substituted arylpiperazine. As a general trend, compounds with a piperazinylpropoxy chain showed a preferential affinity for the 5-HT(1A) receptor, suggesting that the alkyl chain length represents a critical structural feature in determining 5-HT(1A) receptor affinity and selectivity, as confirmed by the molecular modeling invoked for explaining the differential binding affinities of the new arylpiperazines.