Synthesis of 2-(substituted phenyl)-3,5,5-trimethylmorpholine analogues and their effects on monoamine uptake, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor function, and behavioral effects of nicotine

J Med Chem. 2011 Mar 10;54(5):1441-8. doi: 10.1021/jm1014555. Epub 2011 Feb 14.

Abstract

Toward development of smoking cessation aids superior to bupropion (2), we describe synthesis of 2-(substituted phenyl)-3,5,5-trimethylmorpholine analogues 5a-5h and their effects on inhibition of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin uptake, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) function, acute actions of nicotine, and nicotine-conditioned place preference (CPP). Several analogues encompassing aryl substitutions, N-alkylation, and alkyl extensions of the morpholine ring 3-methyl group provided analogues more potent in vitro than (S,S)-hydroxybupropion (4a) as inhibitors of dopamine or norepinephrine uptake and antagonists of nAChR function. All of the new (S,S)-5 analogues had better potency than (S,S)-4a as blockers of acute nicotine analgesia in the tail-flick test. Two analogues with highest potency at α3β4*-nAChR and among the most potent transporter inhibitors have better potency than (S,S)-4a in blocking nicotine-CPP. Collectively, these findings illuminate mechanisms of action of 2 analogues and identify deshydroxybupropion analogues 5a-5h as possibly superior candidates as aids to smoking cessation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects*
  • Biogenic Monoamines / metabolism*
  • Body Temperature / drug effects
  • Bupropion / analogs & derivatives
  • Bupropion / chemistry
  • Bupropion / pharmacology
  • Conditioning, Psychological / drug effects
  • Dopamine / metabolism
  • Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Morpholines / chemical synthesis*
  • Morpholines / chemistry
  • Morpholines / pharmacology
  • Motor Activity / drug effects
  • Nicotine / pharmacology*
  • Nicotinic Antagonists / chemical synthesis
  • Nicotinic Antagonists / chemistry
  • Nicotinic Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Norepinephrine / metabolism
  • Receptors, Nicotinic / metabolism*
  • Serotonin / metabolism
  • Smoking Cessation
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors
  • Biogenic Monoamines
  • Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors
  • Morpholines
  • Nicotinic Antagonists
  • Receptors, Nicotinic
  • Bupropion
  • Serotonin
  • Nicotine
  • radafaxine
  • Dopamine
  • Norepinephrine