Crystallographic, theoretical and molecular modelling studies on the conformations of the salicylamide, raclopride, a selective dopamine-D2 antagonist

Hybrids of salicylalkylamides and Mannich bases: control of the amide conformation by hydrogen bonding in solution and in the solid state

3-Aminomethylation of salicylalkylamides afforded hybrids with a Mannich base. In addition, it triggered the rotation of the amide bond. The observed conformational switch is driven by strong intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the Mannich base and phenolic group. Crystal structure analysis reveals the stabilization of the hybrid molecules by double hydrogen bonding of the phenolic OH, which acts as an acceptor and donor simultaneously. The molecules contain an amide site and a Mannich base site in an orthogonal spatial arrangement. The intramolecular hydrogen bonds are persistent in a nonpolar solvent (e.g., chloroform). The conformational change can be reversed upon protection or protonation of the Mannich base nitrogen.

Pharmaceutical co-crystals

Crystal engineering has evolved in such a manner that it is now synonymous with the paradigm of supramolecular synthesis, that is, it invokes self-assembly of existing molecules to generate a wide range of new solid forms without the need to break or form covalent bonds. This review addresses how crystal engineering has been applied to active pharmaceutical ingredients, API's, with emphasis upon how pharmaceutical co-crystals, a long known but little explored alternative to the four traditionally known forms of API, can be generated in a rational fashion. Case studies on Carbamazepine (CBZ) and Piracetam are presented which illustrate the relative ease with which pharmaceutical co-crystals can be prepared and their diversity in terms of composition and physical properties.

4-Acylamino-and 4-ureidobenzamides as melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) receptor 1 antagonists

Synthesis, in vitro biological evaluation and structure-activity relationships of 4-acylamino-and 4-ureidobenzamides as novel hMCH1R-antagonists are disclosed. The nature of the amine side chains could be varied considerably in contrast to the central benzamide scaffold and aromatic substituents.

Dopamine receptors: molecular biology, biochemistry and behavioural aspects

The description of new dopamine (DA) receptor subtypes, D1-(D1 and D5) and D2-like (D2A, D2B, D3, D4), has given an impetus to DA research. While selective agonists and antagonists are not generally available yet, the receptor distribution in the brain suggests that they could be new targets for drug development. Binding characteristics and second messenger coupling has been explored in cell lines expressing the new cloned receptors. The absence of selective ligands has meant that in vivo studies have lagged behind. However, progress has been made in understanding the function of DA-containing discrete brain nuclei and the functional consequence of the DA's interaction with other neurotransmitters. This review explores some of the latest advances in these various areas.

Concentrations of remoxipride and its phenolic metabolites in rat brain and plasma. Relationship to extrapyramidal side effects and atypical antipsychotic profile

The cataleptic effect of remoxipride was examined in the horizontal bar test after i.v.,i.p. and s.c. administration to male rats. Remoxipride induced immediate catalepsy after high i.v. doses (ED50 = 49 mumol/kg) while peak effects were seen 60-90 min after i.p. administration (ED50 = 38 mumol/kg). Following s.c. administration remoxipride failed to produce a statistically significant catalepsy in the 20-100 mumol/kg dose range (ED50 > 100 mumol/kg). In contrast, haloperidol was found to be more effective in inducing catalepsy after i.v. (ED50 = 0.4 mumol/kg) than after i.p. or s.c. administration (ED50 = 0.9 mumol/kg). The atypical antipsychotic profile of remoxipride was more pronounced when the compound was given i.v. or s.c. as compared with the i.p. route. Plasma and brain (striatum and nucleus accumbens) concentrations of remoxipride and its active phenolic metabolites FLA 797(-) and FLA 908(-) were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. The 40 mumol/kg dose of remoxipride resulted in plasma and brain concentrations of remoxipride which were 300-1000-fold higher (depending on the route of administration) than the most potent of the phenolic metabolites, e.g., FLA 797(-). The plasma and brain concentrations of remoxipride and its phenolic metabolites were related to DA D2 receptor blocking potency and to the temporal course and effectiveness to induce catalepsy. This analysis suggested that the unbound concentrations of the phenolic metabolites were too low to play a major role in the DA blocking action of remoxipride. However, FLA 797(-) may contribute marginally to the cataleptic effects following high (i.p.) doses of remoxipride.

A comparative PET-study of five carbon-11 or fluorine-18 labelled salicylamides. Preparation and in vitro dopamine D-2 receptor binding

Five 11C- or 18F-labelled salicylamides ([11C]raclopride (I), [11C]eticlopride (II), [18F]NCQ 258 (III), [18F]NCQ 134 (IV) and [18F]NCQ 135 (V] were prepared. The total radiochemical yields of I-V from EOB were 3-30% (decay-corrected) with an overall synthesis time of 40-110 min. All compounds were isolated by semi-preparative HPLC and the radiochemical purity was greater than 99%. I-V were in separate experiments injected into Cynomolgus monkeys for PET-examination of ligand distribution in brain in vivo. I-V passed rapidly across the blood-brain barrier. With both analogs I and II there was a high uptake in the striatum, a region with a high density of dopamine D-2 receptors. With the 18F-labelled analogs III and IV, the uptake in the striatum was almost identical to that in the dopamine receptor poor cerebellum whereas the striatal uptake of V was clearly higher than in the cerebellum. Unlabelled I-V (raclopride, eticlopride, NCQ 258 (VII), NCQ 134 (VIII) and NCQ 135 (IX)) were also prepared and examined in vitro using [3H]raclopride and [3H]spiperone binding to rat striatal dopamine D-2 receptors. A significantly lower affinity was shown for NCQ 258 and NCQ 134 (5 times) compared to that of raclopride and eticlopride, respectively, whereas the affinity of NCQ 135 was similar to that of eticlopride.