Aza-tricyclic substance P antagonists

Design, optimization, and in vivo evaluation of a series of pyridine derivatives with dual NK1 antagonism and SERT inhibition for the treatment of depression

A series of substituted pyridines, ether linked to a phenylpiperidine core were optimized for dual NK(1)/SERT affinity. Optimization based on NK(1)/SERT binding affinities, and minimization of off-target ion channel activity lead to the discovery of compound 44. In vivo evaluation of 44 in the gerbil forced swim test (a depression model), and ex-vivo NK(1)/SERT receptor occupancy data support the potential of a dual acting compound for the treatment of depression.

Substance P in traumatic brain injury

Recent evidence has suggested that neuropeptides, and in particular substance P (SP), may play a critical role in the development of morphological injury and functional deficits following acute insults to the brain. Few studies, however, have examined the role of SP, and more generally, neurogenic inflammation, in the pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury and stroke. Those studies that have been reported suggest that SP is released following injury to the CNS and facilitates the increased permeability of the blood brain barrier, the development of vasogenic edema and the subsequent cell death and functional deficits that are associated with these events. Inhibition of the SP activity, either through inhibition of the neuropeptide release or the use of SP receptor antagonists, have consistently resulted in profound decreases in edema formation and marked improvements in functional outcome. The current review summarizes the role of SP in acute brain injury, focussing on its properties as a neurotransmitter and the potential for SP to adversely affect outcome.

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of (9s)-N-methyl-3-azabicyclo[3.3.1] nonan-9-yl (cyclopentyl)(hydroxy)(2-thienyl)Acetate Hydrochloride

(9s)-N-methyl-3-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-9-yl (cyclopentyl)(hydroxy)(2-thienyl)acetate hydrochloride, a more effective muscarinic receptor antagonist, was synthesised and its crystal structure elucidated by X-ray crystallography.

Stereoselective Synthesis of 3-azabicyclo[3,3,1]Nonan-9α-yl α-(cyclopentyl-1-ene)-α-hydroxy-α-phenylacetate Hydrochloride

The isomers of α-(cyclopentyl-1-ene)-α-hydroxy-α-phenylacetic acid esters derived from 3-azabicyclo[3,3,1]nonan-9α-ol ((R)-1 and (S)-1) were obtained in high enantiomeric excess by effective stereoselective synthesis from the chiral starting material, (S) or (R)-mandelic acid using pivaldehyde as a sterically hindered reagent

Synthesis of enantiopure 1-azabicyclo[3.2.2]nonanes via stereoselective capture of chiral carbocations

[reaction: see text] A new class of doubly functionalized and enantiomerically pure 1-azabicyclo[3.2.2]nonanes derived from quincorine and quincoridine is described. 2,5-Disubstituted quinuclidines with a C9-mesyloxy group were easily transformed into the corresponding halides upon treatment with lithium salts. Subsequent silver salt-mediated ring expansion stereoselectively furnished the title azabicyclics. Chiral carbocations which are configurationally stable and nonplanar are postulated to account for the striking stereoselectivity of the capture of external nucleophile. 5-Ethynyl-2-iodomethylquinuclidines afford the alpha-benzoyloxy amines rather than alpha-methoxy amines, even in MeOH.

The tachykinin NK1 receptor. Part I: ligands and mechanisms of cellular activation

The tachykinin NK1 receptor is widely expressed in the mammalian central and peripheral nervous system. Powerful pharmacological tools (agonists and antagonists) are now available to elucidate the physiological role of NK1 receptors at these levels, as well as to understand their role in diseases and establish the possible therapeutic usefulness of NK1 receptor antagonists for treatment of human diseases. The structure-activity studies that have led to the development of potent peptide and non-peptide ligands for the tachykinin NK1 receptor are here reviewed. Among the peptide agonists and antagonists, linear and cyclic sequences have been developed. The non peptide antagonists belong to different chemical classes, i.e. steroids, perhydroisoindolones, quinuclidines, piperidines and tryptophane derivatives. The first non peptide antagonists for NK1 receptors have been obtained by random screening of chemical compounds large collections. The resulting leads were optimized with 'classic' structure activity approaches, aiming at identifying 'common' motifs for interaction with the receptor by ligands of different chemical classes. The results derived from the recent application of molecular biology techniques were useful to drive the design of new ligands toward a precise structural definition of ligand-receptor bi-molecular interactions. Studies on mutant receptors have established that the sites of interaction of peptide agonists and non peptide antagonists with the tachykinin NK1 receptor are largely non overlapping. Moreover, data obtained from mutagenesis of the NK1 receptor further indicate that some amino acid residues in the NK1 receptor sequence are critical for determining the binding affinity of some but not all ligands. Therefore, different antagonists discovered from random screening may not possess common points of interaction or common structural and conformational characteristics for their interaction with the tachykinin NK1 receptor. The tachykinin NK1 receptor couples with G-proteins to determine its biological effects in target cells. Several G-proteins both sensitive (Go, Gi) and insensitive (Gq, G11) to pertussis toxin can mediate the action of NK1 receptors. Moreover, several second messanger signalling systems (elevation of intracellular calcium, stimulation of phosphoinositol turnover, arachidonic acid mobilization, cAMP accumulation) have to be activated following NK1 receptor signalling. Also a direct modulation of certain ion channels at membrane level has been proposed. The NK1 receptor undergoes prompt and significant tachyphylaxis upon exposure to the agonist: this has been shown to be linked with receptor internalization which also occurs physiologically when the NK1 receptor is stimulated by endogenous tachykinins.