Four analogs and two homologs of cocaine, designed as potent cocaine antagonists, were synthesized. The SN2 reaction between ecgonine methyl ester (13) or appropriately substituted piperidinol (19, 21) and appropriately substituted 4-iodobenzoyl chloride gave 4-iodobenzoyl esters of tropanes and piperidines (5-8). 2'-Hydroxycocaine (9) was obtained from 2'-acetoxycocaine (12) by selective transesterification with MeOH saturated with dry HCl gas. 2'-Acetoxycocaine (12) was synthesized from acetylsalicyloyl chloride (23) and ecgonine methyl ester (13). The binding affinities of these compounds were determined at the dopamine transporter for the displacement of [3H]WIN-35428. An iodo group substitution at the 4'-position of cocaine decreased dopamine transporter binding potency, while a hydroxy or acetoxy group at the 2'-position exhibited increased binding potency for the dopamine transporter compared to cocaine (10- and 3.58-fold, respectively). 2'-Hydroxylation also enhanced the bidning potency of 4'-iodococaine (5) by 10-fold. Replacement of the tropane ring with piperidine led to poor binding affinities.

Kava extracts produce significant murine anxiolytic-like behavioral changes and sedation that are not mediated through the benzodiazepine binding site on the GABA(A) receptor complex.

No abstract

No abstract

Few studies have characterized the effect of substituents at the 2'-position of cocaine on transporter binding potency and selectivity. We synthesized 2'-OH-, 2'-F- and 2'-acetoxy-cocaines and compared their binding potencies for rat dopamine, norepinephrine and 5-hydroxytryptamine transporters to cocaine, 3'-OH-, 4'-OH-, 2'-OH,4'-I-cocaine derivatives, and to the transporter selective ligands WIN 35,428, nisoxetine and paroxetine. Unlike most substitutions, 2'-OH- and 2'-acetoxy-groups increased cocaine's binding potency for the dopamine transporter (10- and 4-fold, respectively). These substituents also enhanced binding to the norepinephrine transporter (52- and 35-fold, respectively) but had less effect on 5-hydroxytryptamine transporter binding. 2'-Hydroxylation also enhanced binding of 4'-I cocaine, an analog with low DA binding potency. The ability of 2'-substituents to substantially increase cocaine binding potency and to alter selectivity for brain transporters indicates the potential importance of the 2'-position in transporter binding.