A series of new bicyclohydantoin-arylpiperazines was prepared and evaluated for affinity at 5-HT1A, alpha 1, and D2 receptors. Most of the compounds showed very low affinity for D2 receptors, and most of them demonstrated moderate to high affinity for 5-HT1A and alpha 1 receptor binding sites. SAR observations indicated that the length of the alkyl chain between the arylpiperazine and the hydantoin moiety is of great importance for 5-HT1A/alpha 1 affinity and selectivity, n = 1 being the optimal value. Compound 1h, 2-[[4-(o-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl] methyl]-1,3-dioxoperhydroimidazo [1,5-alpha]pyridine, bound at 5-HT1A sites with nanomolar affinity (Ki = 31.7 nM) and high selectivity over alpha 1, D2, and 5-HT2A receptors (Ki > 1000, > 10 000, and > 1000 nM, respectively). Preliminary studies showed that this agent is probably functioning as a partial to full 5-HT1A agonist, and it displayed anxiolytic activity on the social interaction test in mice.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.