Pharmacological characterization of PD 118717, a putative piperazinyl benzopyranone dopamine autoreceptor agonist

PD 118717 (7-[3-[4-(2-pyrimidinyl)-1-piperazinyl]-propoxy]-2H-1- benzopyran-2-one sulfate) proved to be a dopamine (DA) D-2 autoreceptor agonist in biochemical and electrophysiological studies in rats and to exhibit an antipsychotic-like profile in behavioral tests in rodents and monkeys. In vitro binding studies indicated that PD 118717 bound selectively to DA D-2 vs. D-1 receptors and exhibited agonist binding properties (biphasic inhibitory curves and GTP shift) similar to DA. It also had significant affinity for serotonin-(5-HT)1A but not 5-HT1B and 5-HT2 receptors. PD 118717 was active in antagonizing the tau-butyrolactone-induced accumulation of dopa in rat striatum and mesolimbic regions. PD 118717 also depressed the firing of DA neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta of rats. In both of the latter tests the effects of PD 118717 were reversed by haloperidol. PD 118717 decreased brain DA metabolism, decreased DA utilization, decreased accumulation of dopa after inhibition of L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase, stimulated serum corticosterone and inhibited stimulated serum prolactin levels. PD 118717 did not alter striatal acetylcholine levels; nor did it induce locomotor stimulation or stereotypy in normal animals, suggesting a lack of postsynaptic DA stimulation of normosensitive DA receptors. In tests designed to reveal even weak postsynaptic DA agonist effects, PD 118717 stimulated locomotor activity in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned animals and relatively higher doses induced a low degree of stereotyped behavior when combined with the DA D-1 agonist SKF 38393. PD 118717 decreased the accumulation of 5-hydroxytryptophan in brain, an effect probably due to an agonist action at 5-HT1A receptors. PD 118717 decreased spontaneous locomotor activity in rodents, antagonized amphetamine-stimulated hyperactivity in mice and inhibited Sidman avoidance in monkeys, effects seen with antipsychotic agents. Unlike DA antagonist antipsychotics, PD 118717 did not induce extrapyramidal dysfunction in monkeys. PD 118717 displayed behavioral activity after p.o. dosing and its effects did not show tolerance on repeated dosing. In conclusion, PD 118717 has the profile of a DA autoreceptor agonist in neurochemical and neurophysiological tests and produces effects suggestive of antipsychotic efficacy without neurological side effect liability in preclinical behavioral tests.

Synthesis and dopamine agonist properties of (+-)-trans-3,4,4a,10b-tetrahydro-4-propyl-2H,5H-[1]benzopyrano [4,3-b]-1,4-oxazin-9-ol and its enantiomers

The dopamine agonist profile of (+-)-trans-3,4,4a,10b-tetrahydro-4-propyl-2H,5H-[1]benzopyrano [4,3-b]-1,4-oxazin-9-ol (16a) and its enantiomers (16b-c) was examined. Racemic 16a exhibited moderate affinity for the dopamine (DA) D2 receptor labeled with the DA antagonist ligand [3H]haloperidol and moderate in vivo activity; it attenuated gamma-butyrolactone-stimulated DA synthesis, decreased DA neuronal firing of substantia nigra DA neurons, and inhibited exploratory locomotor activity in rats, a profile consistent with a DA autoreceptor agonist mechanism of action. The (+)-enantiomer 16b possessed greater DA receptor affinity with the agonist ligand [3H]-N-propylnorapomorphine than with the antagonist ligand. In rats it potently inhibited DA synthesis and neuronal firing and also inhibited exploratory locomotion. The (-)-enantiomer, on the other hand, did not have significant activity in any of these tests. This profile indicates that like many other rigid DA agonists, the dopaminergic activity resides in one enantiomer, in this case the (+)-enantiomer 16b. On the basis of single-crystal X-ray analysis of a key intermediate, the absolute configuration of 16b was found to be 4aR, 10bR.

6- and 8-hydroxy-3,4-dihydro-3-(dipropylamino)-2H-1-benzopyrans. Dopamine agonists with autoreceptor selectivity

The dopamine agonist profiles of 3,4-dihydro-3-(3-dipropylamino)-2H-1-benzopyran-6- and -8-ol (4 and 5, respectively) were examined. Both 4 and 5 exhibited greater relative affinity for receptors labeled with the dopamine agonist ligand [3H]propylnorapomorphine than for those labeled with the dopamine antagonist ligand [3H]haloperidol. Both compounds attenuated the stimulation of brain dopamine synthesis caused by gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) and decreased the firing rate of substantia nigra dopamine neurons in rats. This profile of activity, together with the ability of the dopamine antagonist haloperidol to reverse the inhibition of dopamine neuronal firing, indicate that both compounds are brain dopamine agonists.

Synthesis and potential antipsychotic activity of 1H-imidazo[1,2-c]pyrazolo[3,4-e]pyrimidines

The synthesis of a series of 1H-imidazo[1,2-c]pyrazolo[3,4-e]pyrimidines is reported along with the effects of these compounds in preclinical tests for antipsychotic activity. Certain of these compounds displayed antipsychotic-like effects in conditioned avoidance tests, but unlike currently used antipsychotic drugs, they did not have affinity for brain dopamine receptors. These compounds also did not cause dystonias predictive of extrapyramidal side effects in monkeys at doses that produced behavioral effects. On the basis of this unique biological profile, a member of this series 7,8-dihydro-8-ethyl-1,3,5-trimethyl-1H-imidao[1,2-c]pyrazol[3,4-e] pyrimidine (19, CI-943), has been selected for clinical evaluation as an antipsychotic agent.

1,3-Dialkyl-4-(iminoarylmethyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-ols. A series of novel potential antipsychotic agents

2-(Diethylamino)-N-[4-(2-fluorobenzoyl)-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl] acetamide (1) was recently found to have an antipsychotic-like profile in behavioral animal tests but, unlike clinically available antipsychotic agents, did not interact with dopamine receptors. Compound 1 was apparently metabolized to (5-amino-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)(2-fluorophenyl)methanone (2), which was both active in the behavioral animal tests and toxic. The synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of a series of 1,3-dialkyl-4-(iminoarylmethyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-ols are described in which the hydroxy and imine functionalities were selected as possible isosteric replacements for the amino and ketone groups of the earlier series. The initial target, 1,3-dimethyl-4-(iminophenylmethyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-ol (28), like known antipsychotics, reduced spontaneous locomotion in mice at doses that did not cause ataxia, and unlike known agents, it did not bind to D2 dopamine receptors in vitro. An examination of the SAR of related compounds indicated that maximal activity was obtained with analogues containing methyl groups at the 1- and 3-positions on the pyrazole ring and with a 3-chloro substituent on the phenyl ring. Replacement of the hydrogen atom of the imine moiety with various substituents led to loss of activity. Attempts to synthesize the 2-fluorophenyl compound analogous to 2 resulted in ring-closure to 1,3-dimethyl[1]benzopyrano[2,3-c]pyrazol-4-(1H)-one (65). 4-[(3-Chlorophenyl)iminomethyl]-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-5-ol (41) was evaluated in additional tests. It inhibited conditioned avoidance responding in both rats and monkeys but, unlike available antipsychotic drugs, did not elicit dystonic movements in a primate model of antipsychotic-induced extrapyramidal side effects.

(5-Amino-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)(2-fluorophenyl)methanones . A series of novel potential antipsychotic agents

(5-Amino-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)(2-fluorophenyl)methanone (1) was found to have an antipsychotic-like profile in behavioral tests predictive of antipsychotic efficacy but, unlike available antipsychotic agents, did not bind in vitro to dopamine receptors. Upon further evaluation, 1 was found to cause clonic seizures in aged rodents. An examination of related structures revealed that 5-(substituted aminoacetamide) analogues of 1 shared this novel pharmacology and did not cause seizures. The synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of this series of compounds are described. Two compounds, 2-(diethylamino)acetamide (25) and 2-[[3-(2-methyl-1-piperidinyl)propyl]-amino]acetamide (38), were selected for examination in secondary tests. Like known antipsychotics both compounds reduced spontaneous locomotion in mice at doses that did not cause ataxia and inhibited conditioned avoidance selectively in both rats and monkeys. Unlike known antipsychotics neither 25 nor 38 elicited dystonic movements in haloperidol-sensitized cebus monkeys, a primate model of antipsychotic-induced extrapyramidal side effects. Biochemical studies indicated that these compounds act via a nondopaminergic mechanism. Neither 25 nor 38 bound to dopamine receptors in vitro or caused changes in striatal dopamine metabolism in vivo. In addition, they did not raise serum prolactin levels as do known antipsychotics. Although adverse animal toxicological findings have precluded clinical evaluation of these agents, the present results indicate that it is possible to identify at the preclinical level nondopaminergic compounds with antipsychotic-like properties.

Examination of a series of 8-[3-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)amino]propyl]-1-aryl-1,3,8- triazaspiro[4.5]decan-4-ones as potential antipsychotic agents

8-[3-[Bis(4-fluorophenyl)amino]propyl]-1-phenyl-1,3,8- triazaspiro[4.5]decan-4-one (3) and related compounds have been shown to have antipsychotic profiles in biochemical and behavioral pharmacological test models. The dose of 3 necessary to produce catalepsy in rats is much greater than that required for activity in behavioral tests predictive of antipsychotic efficacy, for example the suppression of high base line medial forebrain bundle self-stimulation in rats. This suggests that 3 would have a reduced propensity for neurological side effects. The effects of substitution on the 1-phenyl moiety and on the N-3 nitrogen atom of the triazaspirodecanone portion of 3 were examined. Results from this study suggest that behavioral activity is sensitive to substituents on the 1-phenyl moiety while substituents on the N-3 nitrogen are more generally tolerated. In both rats and squirrel monkeys compound 3 was found to have a similar separation between doses inhibiting Sidman avoidance activity and those causing catalepsy. However, in an extrapyramidal side effect (EPS) test model using haloperidol-sensitized cebus monkeys, 3 elicited signs of EPS at doses approximating those previously determined to be efficacious.

1-[3-(Diarylamino)propyl]piperidines and related compounds, potential antipsychotic agents with low cataleptogenic profiles

On the basis of a structural model of the postsynaptic dopaminergic antagonist pharmacophore, a series of 1-[3-(diarylamino)propyl]piperidines and related compounds was synthesized and evaluated for potential antipsychotic activity. For a rapid measure of activity, the target compounds were initially screened in vitro for inhibition of [3H]haloperidol binding and in vivo in a test of locomotor activity. Behavioral efficacy of compounds identified from the initial screens was more accurately measured in rats by using a suppression of high base-line medial forebrain bundle self-stimulation test model. The propensity of these compounds for causing extrapyramidal side effects was evaluated by using a rat catalepsy method. On the basis of these test models, we have shown that the methine carbon of the 1-(4,4-diarylbutyl)piperidines can be advantageously replaced with a nitrogen atom. The 1-[3-(diarylamino)propyl]piperidines were less cataleptic than the corresponding 1-(4,4-diarylbutyl)piperidines. The compounds with the widest separation between efficacious dose and cataleptic dose are 8-[3-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)amino]propyl]-1-phenyl-1,3,8-triazaspiro [4. 5]decan-4-one (6), 1-[1-[3-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)amino]propyl]-4-piperidinyl]-1,3-dihydro- 2H-benzimidazol-2-one (11), 1-[1-[3-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)amino]propyl]-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-4- pyridinyl]-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazol-2-one (22), and 1-[3-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)amino]propyl]-4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine (26).

(1,3-Dialkyl-5-amino-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)arylmethanones. A series of novel central nervous system depressants

A series of novel (1,3-dialkyl-5-amino-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)arylmethanones was synthesized. Pharmacological evaluation of these compounds demonstrated central nervous system depressant activity, potential anticonvulsant properties, and a low order of acute toxicity. In addition, selected compounds showed potential antipsychotic effects. This report focuses on the synthesis and structure-activity relationships of these compounds. (5-Amino-1-ethyl-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)(2-chlorophenyl) methanone (21) was the most active compound against pentylenetetrazole-induced convulsions. (5-Amino-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)(3-chlorophenyl)methanone (4) also has a favorable anticonvulsant depression ratio. (5-Amino-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)methan one (8), (5-amino-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)(3-thienyl)methanone (13), and (5-amino-3-ethyl-1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)phenylmethanone (14) are very potent depressants. (5-Amino-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)(2-thienyl)methanone (12) possessed marked central depressant activity without anticonvulsant activity and without impairment of motor functioning. (5-Amino-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl) (2-fluorophenyl)methanone (2) has a behavioral profile suggestive of antipsychotic activity and gave a positive Ames test result.

Pyrazolodiazepines. 2. 4-Aryl-1,3-dialkyl-6,8-dihydropyrazolo[3,4-e] [1,4]diazepin-7(1H)-ones as antianxiety and anticonvulsant agents

A series of 4-aryl-1,3-dialkyl-6,8-dihydropyrazolo[3,4-e] [1,4]diazepin-7(1H)-ones was synthesized and screened for psychotropic activity. In animals, a number of these pyrazolodiazepinones had strong CNS effects similar to diazepam. One compound, 4-(2-fluorophenyl)-6,8-dihydro-1,3,8-trimethylpyrazolo[3,4-e] [1,4]diazepin-7(1H)-one (54), is being studied in the clinic as a component of a new animal anesthetic, Tilazol.