Dopaminergic Modulation and Computational ADMET Insights for the Antidepressant-like Effect of N-(3-(Phenylselanyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl)benzamide

The compound N-(3-(phenylselanyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl)benzamide (SePB), which combines a selenium atom and a benzamide nucleus in an organic structure, has demonstrated a fast antidepressant-like effect in mice. This action is influenced by the serotonergic system and represents a promising development in the search for novel antidepressant drugs to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), which often resists conventional treatments. This study aimed to further explore the mechanism underlying the antidepressant-like effect of SePB by investigating the involvement of the dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems in the tail suspension test (TST) in mice and evaluating its pharmacokinetic profile in silico. Preadministration of the dopaminergic antagonists haloperidol (0.05 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.)), a nonselective antagonist of dopamine (DA) receptors, SCH23390 (0.01 mg/kg, subcutaneously (s.c.)), a D1 receptor antagonist, and sulpiride (50 mg/kg, i.p.), a D2/3 receptor antagonist, before SePB (10 mg/kg, intragastrically (i.g.)) prevented the anti-immobility effect of SePB in the TST, demonstrating that these receptors are involved in the antidepressant-like effect of SePB. Administration of the noradrenergic antagonists prazosin (1 mg/kg, i.p.), an α1-adrenergic antagonist, yohimbine (1 mg/kg, i.p.), an α2-adrenergic antagonist, and propranolol (2 mg/kg, i.p.), a β-adrenergic antagonist, did not block the antidepressant-like effect of SePB on TST, indicating that noradrenergic receptors are not involved in this effect. Additionally, the coadministration of SePB and bupropion (a noradrenaline/dopamine reuptake inhibitor) at subeffective doses (0.1 and 3 mg/kg, respectively) produced antidepressant-like effects. SePB also demonstrated good oral bioavailability and low toxicity in computational absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) analyses. These findings suggest that SePB has potential as a new antidepressant drug candidate with a particular focus on the dopaminergic system.

N-(3-((3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)selanyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl) benzamide induces antidepressant-like effect in mice: involvement of the serotonergic system

RATIONALE

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) significantly impairs the quality of life for those affected. While the exact causes of MDD are not fully understood, the deficit of monoamines, especially serotonin and noradrenaline, is widely accepted. Resistance to long-term treatments and adverse effects are often observed, highlighting the need for new pharmacological therapies. Synthetic organic compounds containing selenium have exhibited pharmacological properties, including potential antidepressant effects.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the antidepressant-like effect of N-(3-((3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)selenyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl) benzamide (CF3SePB) in mice and the involvement of the serotonergic and noradrenergic systems.

METHODS

Male Swiss mice were treated with CF3SePB (1-50 mg/kg, i.g.) and 30 min later the forced swimming test (FST) or tail suspension test (TST) was performed. To investigate the involvement of the serotonergic and noradrenergic systems in the antidepressant-like effect of CF3SePB, mice were pre-treated with p-CPA (a 5-HT depletor, 100 mg/kg, i.p.) or the receptor antagonists WAY100635 (0.1 mg/kg, s.c., a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist), ketanserin (1 mg/kg, i.p., a 5-HT2A/2C receptor antagonist), ondansetron (1 mg/kg, i.p., a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist), GR110838 (0.1 mg/kg, i.p., a 5-HT4 receptor antagonist), prazosin (1 mg/kg, i.p., an α1-adrenergic receptor antagonist), yohimbine (1 mg/kg, i.p., an α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist) and propranolol (2 mg/kg, i.p., a non-selective beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist) at specific times before CF3SePB (50 mg/kg, i.g.), and after 30 min of CF3SePB administration the FST was performed.

RESULTS

CF3SePB showed an antidepressant-like effect in both FST and TST and this effect was related to the modulation of the serotonergic system, specially the 5-HT1A and 5-HT3 receptors. None of the noradrenergic antagonists prevented the antidepressant-like effect of CF3SePB. The compound exhibited a low potential for inducing acute toxicity in adult female Swiss mice.

CONCLUSION

This study pointed a new compound with antidepressant-like effect, and it could be considered for the development of new antidepressants.

Role of noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems in the antinociceptive effect of N-(3-(phenylselanyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl)benzamide in mice

Pain has a negative impact on public health, reducing quality of life. Unfortunately, current treatments are not fully effective and have adverse effects. Therefore, there is a need to develop new analgesic compounds. Due to promising results regarding the antinociceptive effect of N-(3-(phenylselanyl)prop-2-in-1-yl)benzamide (SePB), this study aimed to evaluate the participation of the dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems in this effect in mice, as well as its toxicity. To this, the antagonists sulpiride (D2/D3 receptor antagonist, 5 mg/kg), SCH-23390 (D1 receptor antagonist, 0.05 mg/kg), prazosin (α1 adrenergic receptor antagonist, 0.15 mg/kg), yohimbine (α2-adrenergic receptors, 0.15 mg/kg) and propranolol (non-selective β-adrenergic antagonist, 10 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally to mice 15 min before SePB (10 mg/kg, intragastrically), except for propranolol (20 min). After 26 min of SePB administration, the open field test was performed for 4 min to assess locomotor activity, followed by the tail immersion test to measure the nociceptive response. For the toxicity test, animals received a high dose of 300 mg/kg of SePB. SePB showed an increase in the latency for nociceptive response in the tail immersion test, and this effect was prevented by SCH-23390, yohimbine and propranolol, indicating the involvement of D1, α2 and β-adrenergic receptors in the antinociceptive mechanism of the SePB effect. No changes were observed in the open field test, and the toxicity assessment suggested that SePB has low potential to induce toxicity. These findings contribute to understanding SePB's mechanism of action, with a focus on the development of new alternatives for pain treatment.

Pharmacological and computational analysis of the involvement of the 5-HT4 receptor in the antidepressant-like effect of N-(3-(phenylselanyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl)benzamide in mice

The serotonin type 4 receptor (5-HT4R)shows promise as a target for treating major depressive disorder (MDD). Studies have demonstrated that 5-HT4R agonists have a faster antidepressant-like effect compared to conventional medications. Developing drugs that modulate this receptor could lead to faster and more effective MDD treatments. The compound N-(3-(phenylselanyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl)benzamide (SePB) induces an antidepressant-like effect in mice. The present study explored if the 5-HT4R mediates SePB's antidepressant effect. For this, male Swiss mice were treated with GR113808 (0.1 mg/kg, intraperitoneally - i.p.), a 5-HT4R antagonist, and SePB (10 mg/kg, intragastrically - i.g), and then subjected to the tail-suspension test (TST) and open-field test (OFT). In silico tests were conducted to analyze SePB's binding affinity to the 5-HT4R and identify participating amino acid residues. The administration of GR113808 blocked the antidepressant-like effect of SePB in the TST without changing locomotor activity in the OFT. Moreover, SePB exhibited a high binding affinity between the 5-HT4R (-7.9 kcal/mol) and the amino acid residues Leu298, Asp100, Thr97, Arg96, Glu80, Leu81, Cys184, Val185, and Phe186 seem to be important for this interaction. The involvement of the 5-HT4R in the antidepressant-like effect of SePB suggests potential for novel therapies in MDD.

Effects of Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Laminaceae) essential oil on adult and larvae of Drosophila melanogaster

Rosmarinus officinalis (Lamiaceae family), also known as "alecrim," is a perennial herb, typical of the Mediterranean region and widely distributed in Brazilian territory. Despite having demonstrated several properties of human interest, insecticide/larvicidal effect of essential oil from R. officinalis on insects remains unclear. In this study, we tested the effects of R. officinalis essential oil on biomarkers of oxidative damage in Drosophila melanogaster. Exposure to R. officinalis essential oil increased adult mortality and decreased geotaxis behavior in adult fruit flies. In addition, essential oil increased of larval mortality and impaired the developmental success in D. melanogaster. R. officinalis essential oil showed a significant repellent effect, with duration time of about 6 h. To understand the mechanism underlying the toxicity of essential oil both pro-oxidant effects and biomarkers of oxidative damage were evaluated in exposed flies. Exposure to essential oil caused a significant redox imbalance with impairment of both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant system and increased the lipid peroxidation levels. These results suggest that R. officinalis essential oil can be used as a bioinsecticide and/or larvicide as well as an alternative insect repellent.

Synthesis of chalcogenyl-functionalized 4H-chromen-4-ones via cyclization/chalcogenation of alkynyl aryl ketones mediated by Selectfluor®

The synthesis of organochalcogen-functionalized chromenones starting from diorganyl dichalcogenides and alkynyl aryl ketones has been developed. Selectfluor® mediates these cyclization / organochalcogenation reaction sequences under mild and open-to-air conditions. The...

Base-Free Synthesis and Synthetic Applications of Novel 3-(Organochalcogenyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl Esters: Promising Anticancer Agents

This manuscript portrays the CuI-catalyzed Csp-chalcogen bond formation through cross-coupling reactions of propynyl esters and diorganyl dichalcogenides by using DMSO as solvent, at room temperature, under base-free and open-to-air atmosphere conditions. Generally, the reactions have proceeded very smoothly, being tolerant to a range of substituents present in both substrates, affording the novel 3-(organochalcogenyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl esters in moderate to good yields. Noteworthy, the 3-(butylselanyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl benzoate proved to be useful as synthetic precursor in palladium-catalyzed Suzuki and Sonogashira­ type cross-coupling reactions by replacing the carbon–chalcogen bond by new carbon–carbon bond. Moreover, the 3-(phenyl­selanyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl benzoate has shown promising in vitro activity against glioblastoma cancer cells.

Diorganyl Dichalcogenides and Copper/Iron Salts: Versatile Cyclization System To Achieve Carbo- and Heterocycles from Alkynes

Organochalcogen-containing cyclic molecules have shown several promising pharmacological properties. Consequently, different strategies have been developed for their synthesis in the past few years. Particularly due to the low cost and environmental aspects, copper- and iron-promoted cyclization reactions of alkynyl substrates have been broadly and efficiently applied for this purpose. This short review presents an overview of the most recent advances in the synthesis of organochalcogen-containing carbo- and heterocycles by reacting diorganyl disulfides, diselenides, and ditellurides with alkyne derivatives in the presence of copper and iron salts to promote cyclization reactions.

1 Introduction

2 Synthesis of Carbo- and Heterocycles via Reactions of Alkynes with Diorganyl Dichalcogenides and Copper Salts

3 Synthesis of Carbo- and Heterocycles via Reactions of Alkynes with Diorganyl Dichalcogenides and Iron Salts

4 Conclusions

Transition Metal-Free Synthesis of Carbo- and Heterocycles via Reaction of Alkynes with Organylchalcogenides

This manuscript intends to overview the most recent advances in the synthesis of carbo- and heterocycles through reactions of alkynes with organyl chalcogenides (S, Se, Te) under metal-free conditions. Firstly, the use of electrophilic chalcogenyl halides as a selective reagent for alkyne carbon-carbon triple bond activation will be presented. After that, radical cyclization protocols employing electrochemical oxidative conditions, light-induced photoredox catalysis, or mild oxidants with direct chalcogenyl group installation will be discussed accompanied by the proposed mechanisms.

Antidepressant-like effect of a selenopropargylic benzamide in mice: involvement of the serotonergic system

RATIONALE

Major depressive disorder is a psychiatric disorder that requires considerable attention, since it dramatically impairs the quality of life of the sufferers. The available treatments do not have the efficacy needed, often presenting several side effects. Organoselenium compounds and benzamides have presented some pharmacological properties, among them an antidepressant-like effect.

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS

This study evaluated the antidepressant-like effect of N-(3-(phenylselanyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl)benzamide (SePB), an organoselenium compound containing a benzamide moiety, on the forced swimming test (FST) and the tail suspension test (TST) in mice, as well as the involvement of the serotonergic system in its effect.

RESULTS

SePB, tested after different times (15-120 min) and doses (1-50 mg/kg, intragastrically (i.g.)), reduced immobility of male mice during FST and TST, without changing locomotor activity in the open-field test (OFT), demonstrating its antidepressant-like effect. SePB (10 mg/kg) also produced an antidepressant-like effect in female mice in the TST. The preadministration of the serotonin (5-HT) depletor p-chlorophenylalanine (pCPA; 100 mg/kg, intraperitoneal route (i.p.) once daily for 4 days) prevented the anti-immobility effect of SePB, indicating that the serotonergic system is involved in the SePB antidepressant-like effect. The preadministration of the selective serotonergic receptor antagonists WAY100635 (0.1 mg/kg, subcutaneous route (s.c.), a selective 5-HT_1A receptor antagonist), ketanserin (1 mg/kg, i.p., a 5-HT_2A/2C receptor antagonist), and ondansetron (1 mg/kg, i.p., a selective 5-HT₃ receptor antagonist) also prevented the anti-immobility effect of SePB, demonstrating that these receptors are involved in the antidepressant-like effect of SePB.

CONCLUSION

The search for new antidepressants drugs is a noteworthy goal. This study has described a new compound with an antidepressant-like effect, whose mechanism of action is related to modulation of the serotonergic system.

Synthesis of organochalcogen propargyl aryl ethers and their application in the electrophilic cyclization reaction: an efficient preparation of 3-halo-4-chalcogen-2H-benzopyrans

We herein described the synthesis of various organochalcogen propargyl aryl ethers via reaction of lithium acetylide intermediate with electrophilic chalcogen (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) species. Various aryl and alkyl groups directly bonded to the chalcogen atom were used as electrophile. The results revealed that the reaction does not significantly depend on the electronic effects of substituents in the aromatic ring bonded to the chalcogen atom of the electrophilic chalcogen species. Additional versatility in this process was demonstrated with respect to a diverse array of functionality in the aromatic ring at propargyl aryl ethers. These propargyl aryl ethers, bearing the chalcogen group, underwent highly selective intramolecular cyclizations when treated with I(2) or ICl affording 3-iodo-4-chalcogen-2H-benzopyrans. The results demonstrated that the cyclization efficiency was significantly influenced by the steric effects of aromatic ring, since the cyclization reaction gave low yields with aromatic rings having a substituent at orto position than those having no substituent. The reactivity of 3-iodo-4-chalcogen-2H-benzopyrans was also studied. 4-Selenobutyl benzopyrans were treated under Neghishi cross-coupling conditions providing the corresponding 3-aryl benzopyran derivatives in good yields. In addition, using the copper catalyzed cross-coupling reactions with thiols, in the absence of any cocatalyst, we were able to introduce a thiol function in 3-iodo-benzopyran derivatives.