A series of 48 bicyclohydantoin-phenylpiperazines (1-4) with affinity for 5-HT1A and alpha 1 receptors was subjected to three-dimensional quantitative structure-affinity relationship analysis using comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA), in order to get insight into the structural requirements that are responsible for 5-HT1A/alpha 1 selectivity. Good models (high cross-validation correlations and predictive power) were obtained for 5-HT1A and alpha 1 receptors. The resulting 3D-QSAR models rationalize steric and electrostatic factors which modulate binding to 5-HT1A and alpha 1 receptors. A comparison of these models gives an additional understanding for 5-HT1A/alpha 1 selectivity: (a) Substitution at the ortho position by a group with negative potential is favorable to affinity for both receptors. (b) The meta position seems to be implicated in 5-HT1A/alpha 1 selectivity. While the 5-HT1A receptor is able to accommodate bulky substituents in the region of its active site, the steric requirements of the alpha 1 receptor are more restricted (optimum volume of substituent 11-25 A3). (c) For both receptors the para position represents a region where the volume accessible by the ligands is limited. (d) The hydantoin moiety and the side chain length seem to modulate not only the affinity but also 5-HT1A/alpha 1 selectivity. The 3D-QSAR models reveal an useful predictive information for the design of new selective ligands.

A new series of azabicyclic benzimidazole-4-carboxamides 2-21 and -carboxylates 22-30 were synthesized and evaluated for binding affinity at serotoninergic 5-HT(3) and 5-HT(4) receptors in the CNS. Most of the synthesized compounds exhibited high or very high affinity for the 5-HT(3) binding site and low to no significant affinity for the 5-HT(4) receptor. SAR observations indicated that a halogen atom at the 6-position and a nitro group at the 7-position of the benzimidazole ring is the best substitution pattern for 5-HT(3) affinity and 5-HT(3)/5-HT(4) selectivity, as well as no substitution in this ring. (S)-(-)-N-(Quinuclidin-3-yl)benzimidazole-4-carboxamides 2, 8, and 14 bound at central 5-HT(3) sites with high affinity (K(i) = 2.6, 0. 13, and 1.7 nM, respectively) and excellent selectivity over serotonin 5-HT(4) and 5-HT(1A) receptors (K(i) > 1000-10000 nM). Furthermore, these new 5-HT(3) receptor ligands were pharmacologically characterized as potent and selective 5-HT(3) antagonists in the isolated guinea pig ileum (pA(2) = 9.6, 9.9, and 9.1, respectively).