Aminoalkylindoles: atypical dopamine antagonists

The neuropharmacological profile of a series of aminoalkylindole compounds (AHR 1229-(3-[2-(3-indolyl)-ethyl]-butylamino-1-phenyl-pyrrolidine), AHR1771-(1-[2-(2-methyl-3-indolyl)ethyl]-4-phenyl-3,4-dehydropiperidine), AHR1806-(1-[2-(5-chloro-3-indolyl)-ethyl]-4-phenyl-3,4-dehydropiperidine), AHR1858-(1-[2-(3-indolyl)ethyl]-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,2,3, 6-tetrahydropyridine), AHR1709-(1-[2-(3-indolyl)ethyl]-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) was determined in comparison with the classical neuroleptic agents haloperidol and oxypertine, the latter being of similar indole structure. The indole analogues were shown to antagonize amphetamine-induced toxicity in aggregated mice, to indicate a 'tranquillizing' action but, in contrast to haloperidol and oxypertine, showed weak or no activity in other classical behavioural tests for neuroleptic action, catalepsy induction and stereotypy antagonism. In further contrast to haloperidol or oxypertine, the indole derivatives failed to displace [3H]spiperone in radioligand binding assays and failed to increase prolactin levels. However, similarly to both typical and atypical neuroleptic agents, the indole derivatives were shown to inhibit the behavioural hyperactivity resulting from the intracerebral administration of dopamine into the mesolimbic nucleus accumbens of rat. The dissociation of an ability to antagonize a dopamine action in the mesolimbic system from classical neuroleptic actions involving other cerebral dopamine systems is the most important finding of the present study.

Pharmacological effects of Ro 22-1319: a new antipsychotic agent

Ro 22-1319, a novel pyrroloisoquinoline compound, was identified as a potential antipsychotic agent in a rat discrete avoidance procedure that is highly specific for such agents. Results in this test are highly correlated with the clinical potency of all types of antipsychotic agents. The avoidance-blocking potency of Ro 22-1319 (0.7 mg/kg) in this procedure approached that of haloperidol (0.4 mg/kg) and was 7- and 12-times greater than that of chlorpromazine and clozapine, respectively. Ro 22-1319 exhibited similar high potency in other rat and monkey avoidance procedures, rat motor activity, and antagonism of apomorphine emesis in dogs. High potency and antipsychotic-like activity have been demonstrated in monkey EEG and in an in vivo 3H-spiroperidol binding assay. Although studies of amphetamine antagonism in rats indicate antidopaminergic activity at nigrostriatal sites, Ro 22-1319 exhibited relatively weaker cataleptogenic and antistereotypic activity than haloperidol, and had minimal activity in a rat chronic stereotypy model of receptor supersensitivity. This profile suggests that Ro 22-1319 is an efficacious antipsychotic compound, almost as potent as haloperidol, with fewer or less intense extrapyramidal effects and low potential for tardive dyskinesia.

Tricyclics with analgesic and antidepressant activity. 2. [[(Alkylamino)ethyl]thio]dibenzo[b,f]thiepins and 10,11-dihydro derivatives

A series of [[(alkylamino)ethyl]thio]dibenz[b,f]thiepins (III) and their 10,11-dihydro derivatives (IV) was synthesized and subjected to broad analgesic/CNS screening. Preliminary results indicated a combination of analgesic/antidepressant profiles, similar to that observed for the [[(alkylamino)ethyl]thio]dibenz[b,f]oxepins (I) and their corresponding dihydro derivatives (II). The most active congener from the present series, 10b, shows an antinociceptive potency in the pentazocine range as assessed by phenyl-p-quinone-induced writhing (PQW) and tail flick in mice. It is also more than twice as active as imipramine in preventing tetrabenazine-induced ptosis (TBZ), a test widely recognized to be of predictive value for clinically efficacious antidepressants.

Neurochemical effects of danitracen (WA-355): mechanism of action

Danitracen lowered serotonin levels in the cerebrum, cerebellum, medulla and the whole brain. The drug did not appear to affect the concentration of 5-HIAA except in the cerebellum where there was a considerable depletion. Danitracen pretreatment led to a lowering in the 5-HIAA levels in the whole brain and decreased NE levels in apomorphine and amphetamine treated rats. The findings indicate that the mechanism of action of danitracen also involves noradrenergic neurons along with a possible increase in the metabolism.

(+/-)-4-Aryl-4,5-dihydro-3H-1,3-benzodiazepines. 2. Nuclear-substituted analogues of (+/-)-4,5-dihydro-2,3-dimethyl-4-phenyl-3H-1,3-benzodiazepine and (+/-)-4,5-dihydro-2-ethyl-3-methyl-4-phenyl-3H-1,3-benzodiazepine as potential antidepressant agents

Antidepressant-like activity, as evidenced by marked inhibition of tetrabenazine-induced ptosis, was previously reported for (+/-)-4,5-dihydro-4-phenyl-3H-1,3-benzodiazepine derivatives. Since optimal antitetrabenazine activity was associated with (+/-)-4,5-dihydro-2,3-dimethyl-4-phenyl-3H-1,3-benzodiazepine (9k, HRP 543) and the 2-ethyl-3-methyl analogue (10k), the synthesis and evaluation of nuclear-substituted derivatives of these two compounds was also investigated. The initial synthesis involved Friedel-Crafts acylation of substituted benzenes with 2-nitrophenylacetyl chloride to afford 1-aryl-2-(2-nitrophenyl)ethanones 2, which were converted in five steps to (+/-)-alpha-aryl-N-methyl-2-nitrobenzeneethanamines 7. Greater flexibility with respect to the introduction of nuclear substituents was achieved by conversion of 2-nitrotoluene derivatives to 2 via acylation of intermediate beta-(dimethylamino)-2-nitrostyrenes with various aroyl chlorides and hydrolysis. Reductive amination of 2 with methylamine and sodium cyanoborohydride afforded 7 directly and significantly reduced the number of synthetic steps. Reduction of 7a-j to diamines 8a-j and cyclization with appropriate ortho esters gave nuclear-substituted analogues of 9k and 10k. Marked antitetrabenazine activity was associated with many of these compounds. Significant enhancement of activity with respect to the unsubstituted analogues 9k and 10k was not observed, with the exception of 9c which appeared to be slightly more potent than 9k.

[Effect of phenamine and sydnocarb on bioelectrical activity in the ventrolateral columns of the spinal cord]

It was shown in experiments on spinal rats that amphetamine (1-5 mg/kg) and sydnocarb (3.4-30 mg/kg) have an effect on bioelectrical activity in ventrolateral columns and posterior cornua of the spinal cord induced by stimulation of the sciatic nerve and intraarterial administration of bradykinin. Amphetamine (1-2 mg/kg) enhances spontaneous and evoked activities in the posterior cornua but does not change these in the ventrolateral columns. Amphetamine in a dose of 5 mg/kg reduces spontaneous and evoked activities in the formations in question. Sydnocarb (3.4-30 mg/kg) increases spontaneous and evoked activities in the posterior cornua and ventrolateral columns. Phenoxybenzamine (5 mg/kg) reduces the inhibitory action of amphetamine on the bradykinin-induced activity in the ventrolateral columns.

Prostaglandin inhibition of amphetamine-induced circling in mice

The effect of prostaglandins (PG) on amphetamine(AMPH)-induced circling was examined in mice unilaterally lesioned with 6-hydroxy-dopamine. At doses of 0.03-1.0 nmol/g, intraventricularly injected PGD2, PGE2, and PGF2 alpha all inhibited AMP-induced circling, while thromboxane-B2 (TxB2) was inactive at 1.0 nmol/g. The inhibition of circling was not due to alterations in body temperature as measured by rectal temperature changes. When injected intrastriatally, the same major PG inhibited AMP-induced circling at the lower doses of 0.01-0.1 nmol/g, while the PGE2 metabolite 13, 14-dihydro-15-keto-PGE2 was inactive at 0.1 nmol/g. PG administered alone did not procude circling. For both routes of administration, the order of potency was PGE2 greater than PGD2 greater than PGF2 alpha. These results suggest that PG can alter motor function governed by central dopaminergic pathways.

[Mechanism of pantogam potentiation of certain effects of hexobarbital and sodium barbital and inhibition of phenamine hyperactivity]

Experiments on albino mice and rats have shown that pantogam, a derivative of pantothenic acid, potentiates the hypnotic effects of hexobarbital and barbital and enhances the effect of subthreshold doses of hexobarbital. The drug inhibits the amphetamine action in the amphetamine hyperaction test without affecting hexobarbital and amphetamine metabolism, or without increasing the blood-brain barrier permeability for these compounds and barbital. Pantogam does not influence the intensity of ethylmorphine N-demethylation in liver homogenates and the content of cytochrome P 450 and b5 in liver microsomes.

Is dopamine antagonism a requisite of neuroleptic activity?

Neuroleptic activity in laboratory animals is characterized by a decrease in locomotor activity, ptosis, catalepsy, antagonism of certain amphetamine-induced responses, and inhibition of a conditioned avoidance response. Neuroleptics have also been shown to be potent antagonists of dopamine (DA), cis-5,6-Dimethoxy-2-methyl-3-[2-(4-phenyl-1-piperazinyl)-ethyl]indoline (DHO) has been shown to possess the above described pharmacological profile. However, in contrast to known neuroleptics, DHO has no effect on DA levels, DA turnover rate or DA-stimulated cyclase; nor did it have an effect on tyrosine hydroxylase activity. In addition, DHO did not antagonize apomorphine-induced gnawing or amphetamine-induced stereotyped behavior, both of which have been reported to be DA-dependent. However, the agent decreased the level of norepinephrine in the forebrain. An attempt is made to demonstrate that the "DA-hypothesis" of schizophrenia may not be valid in all cases, and that the biochemistry of the disease state is very complex.

[Derivatives of 2-phenothiazin-2'-yl-cinchoninic acid with analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity]

In order to investigate the effects of the overlapping of cinchophene and phenothiazine structures, connected with antiinflammatory and analgesic activities, several derivatives of 2-phenothiazin-2'-yl-cinchoninic acid were prepared through the condensation of isatin or 5-substituted isatins with 2-acetylphenothiazine or its 10-ter-aminoalkyl derivatives. Most of these compounds exhibit analgesic activity, but only a few, of those so far tested, show antiinflammatory activity. Compound (G) with R' = H, R" = C2H5 and R"' = dimethylaminoethyl shows analgesic activity corresponding to 88% of that of phenylbutazone. Moreover some compounds show signs of sympatholytic and vasodilatatory activities and also bactericidal and amebicidal properties in vitro, while some others demonstrate a modest neuroplegic activity.

[Effect of haloperidol on fenamin stereotypy]

Bilateral electrolytic lesion of the striatum disturbs the ability of haloperidol (0.1 mg/kg) to normalize the avoidance behaviour of rats given amphetamine (5 mg/kg). Low doses of the neuroleptic (0.03--0.06 mg/kg) potentiate the inhibition of amphetamine-induced stereotypy that occurs after discontinuation of repeated electric stimulation of the cat caudate nucleus. Participation of the striate mechanisms in the realization of specific psychotropic acitivity of neuroleptics is suggested.

Post-amphetamine depression of self-stimulation responding from the substantia nigra: reversal by tricyclic antidepressants

The effects of long-term amphetamine treatment were examined on self-stimulation responding from the substantia nigra. Rates of self-stimulation responding were substantially depressed among rats chronically treated with amphetamine and tested in the absence of the drug. When rats were subsequently retested after a two day hiatus in which they received imipramine or amitriptyline, the post-amphetamine depression of rates of self-stimulation responding was mitigated. The efficacy of imipramine and amitriptyline in reversing the post-amphetamine depression of self-stimulation responding was also evident during a continuation of the drug (imipramine or amitriptyline)/test sequence, for seven test sessions. The results of the present investigation were related to changes in dopamine and acetylcholine neurotransmission following long-term amphetamine treatement.

The effect of viloxazine on drug-induced inhibition of food intake in the rat

In male Wistar rats trained to eat their normal daily dietary requirement in a restricted 2 h period, dose-dependent decreases in food consumption were produced by fenfluramine, tiflorex, mazindol and amphetamine. The antidepressant drug viloxazine (Vivalan) alone did not alter food intake significantly, nor did the drug prevent the inhibitory effects of either mazindol or amphetamine. However, complete prevention of the inhibitory effect of fenfluramine was achieved with 7.5 mg kg-1 viloxazine, while 40 mg kg-1 viloxazine similarly prevented the anorectic action of tiflorex. An interaction involving 5-hydroxytryptaminergic mechanisms is suggested, and since viloxazine given after fenfluramine or tiflorex produced no reversal of the inhibition of food intake, it is suggested that viloxazine prevents access of the anorectic agents to their site of action. The clinical significance of these interactions is discussed.

Characterisation of adjustments to the structure of feeding behaviour following pharmacological treatment: effects of amphetamine and fenfluramine and the antagonism produced by pimozide and methergoline

An observational procedure for examining the micro-structure of eating has been employed to establish the characteristic behaviour patterns displayed after various pharmacological manipulations. Using a double dissociation design it was shown that amphetamine and fenfluramine gave rise to quite distinctive readjustments to the structure of feeding behaviour. Amphetamine anorexia was characterised by a long initial delay, following which feeding was typified by infrequent short bursts of rapid eating. These effects were antagonised by the dopamine receptor blocking agent, pimozide. Fenfluramine exerted a more restricted pattern of action characterised by a marked slowing of the rate of eating. This effect was countered by the serotonin receptor blocking agent methergoline. These data throw light on the way in which pharmacological agents may impede food consumption and upon the neurochemical systems believed to be involved in the expression of feeding behaviour.

Tricyclics with analgesic and antidepressant activity. 1. [[(Alkylamino)ethyl]thio]dibenz[b,f]oxepins and 10,11-dihydro derivatives

A series of [[(alkylamino)ethyl]thio]dibenz[b,f]oxepins (I) and their 10,11-dihydro derivatives (II) was synthesized and subjected to broad analgesic/CNS screening. Several analogues of both types, carrying small N-substituents and frequently a nuclear fluorine function, have been found to possess potent analgesic activity in the phenylquinone writhing assay (PQW) and the tail-flick test in mice. Many of these compounds also exhibited significant activity in antagonizing tetrabenazine-induced ptosis, as exemplified by 10b, 16b, and 18b. Results from the mouse jumping test indicated low physical dependence potential for these compounds, and further evidence for a nonnarcotic profile was provided by the absence of significant naloxone interactions with the tail-flick response. Compound 10b did not produce tolerance in mice following chronic administration in the PQW screen.

Synthesis and pharmacological activity of derivatives of exo-trimethylenenorbornane. III

Two synthetic routes to (exo-5,6-trimethylenenorbornan-2-ylidene)acetonitrile starting from exo-5,6-trimethylenenorbornan-2-one are described. From the above-mentioned nitrile, 2-(exo-5,6-trimethylenenorbornan-2-ylidene)ethanamine and 2-(exo-5,6-trimethylenenorbornan-2-yl)ethanamine, as well as N,N-dimethyl and N,N-diethyl derivatives of the latter, were prepared.