Conformationally restricted homotryptamines. 2. Indole cyclopropylmethylamines as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

J Med Chem. 2005 Sep 22;48(19):6023-34. doi: 10.1021/jm0503291.

Abstract

A series of indole cyclopropylmethylamines were found to be potent serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Nitrile substituents at the 5 and 7 positions of the indole ring gave high affinity for hSERT, and the preferred cyclopropane stereochemistry was determined to be (1S,2S)-trans. The cis-cyclopropanes had 20- to 30-fold less affinity than the trans, and the preferred cis stereochemistry was (1R,2S)-cis. Substitution of the indole N-1 position with methyl or ethyl groups gave a 10- to 30-fold decrease in affinity for hSERT, suggesting either a hydrogen-bonding interaction or limited steric tolerance in the region of the indole nitrogen. Compound (+)-12a demonstrated potent hSERT binding (Ki = 0.18 nM) in vitro and was more than 1000-fold less potent at hDAT, hNET, 5-HT1A, and 5-HT6. In vivo, (+)-12a produced robust, dose-dependent increases in extracellular serotonin in rat frontal cortex typical of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. The maximal response produced by (+)-12a was similar to that of fluoxetine but at an approximately 10-fold lower dose.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Cyclopropanes / chemical synthesis*
  • Cyclopropanes / chemistry
  • Cyclopropanes / pharmacology
  • Frontal Lobe / drug effects
  • Frontal Lobe / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Indoles / chemical synthesis*
  • Indoles / chemistry
  • Indoles / pharmacology
  • Microdialysis
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Radioligand Assay
  • Rats
  • Receptors, Serotonin / drug effects
  • Receptors, Serotonin / metabolism
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / chemical synthesis*
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Tryptamines / chemical synthesis*
  • Tryptamines / chemistry
  • Tryptamines / pharmacology

Substances

  • 2-(5-cyano-1H-indol-3-yl)-1-(N,N-dimethylaminomethyl)cyclopropane
  • Cyclopropanes
  • Indoles
  • Receptors, Serotonin
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Tryptamines