•A series of 6-hydroxypyridazinone benzisoxazoles were synthesized.•The affinity of the targeted compounds was estimated for the dopamine D2, the serotonin 5-HT1A, and the 5-HT2A receptors.•Selected compounds were evaluated affinity for the H1, 5-HT2C, adrenergic α1, and 5-HT6 receptors.•The most active compound was tested in an in vivo animal model.In recent years, multi-targeting directed ligands have attracted great interest as possible new atypical antipsychotics. Combinations of dopamine and serotonin receptor ligands within single molecules might afford new therapeutic opportunities. Herein, we describe the synthesis of a novel series of 6-hydroxypyridazinone benzisoxazoles and their binding behaviors to different receptors in terms of atypical antipsychotic behaviors. The most potent compound (46) exhibited excellent affinities for certain receptors (D2, Ki = 0.5 ± 0.07 nM; 5-HT1A, Ki = 5.9 ± 0.8 nM; 5-HT2A, Ki = 0.3 ± 0.01 nM; 5-HT6, Ki = 0.5 ± 0.04 nM) and combined with low affinities for the H1, 5-HT2C, and adrenergic α1 receptors. In contrast to risperidone, compound 46 exhibited a high cataleptic threshold; this may be useful in the development of a novel class of drugs treating schizophrenia.A series of new 6-hydroxypyridazinone benzisoxazoles have been synthesized and the target compounds evaluated for antipsychotic activity in in vitro and vivo.

•Fluorine-containing phenyl acetate derivatives with improved hypnotic potencies were synthesized.•Compound 55 showed apparently longer duration of LORR and maintained the rapid recovery.•Compound 55 showed NMDA binding and the reflex depression effect.We report the synthesis of novel, potentially hypnotic fluorine-substituted phenyl acetate derivatives. We describe the structure–activity relationship that led us to the promising derivative: ethyl 2-(4-(2-(diethylamino)-2-oxoethoxy)-5-ethoxy-2-fluorophenyl) acetate (55). The unique pharmacological features of compound 55 are its relatively high affinity for the GABAA receptor, together with a unique affinity for the NMDA receptor, different to propanidid and AZD3043. In animal models, compound 55 showed stronger hypnotic potency and longer duration of LORR than propanidid and AZD3043, but also maintained a rapid recovery time to walking and behavioral recovery. In particular, compound 55 displayed reflex depression during infusion.

A facile synthesis of suvorexant, an orexin receptor antagonist, is described. The key intermediate 6 was prepared from R-3-aminobutyric acid through protection, condensation, deprotection, cyclization, and hydrogenation steps. The title product was obtained with a total yield of 31% (>99% ee) after eight linear steps using commercially available raw materials.Suvorexant was obtained with a total yield of 31% after eight linear steps using commercially available R-3-aminobutyric acid.

In this paper, we report the optimization of a series of novel, potential antipsychotic derivatives combining potent dopamine D2, D3 and serotonin 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A receptor affinities. The pharmacological features of compound 27 are a high affinity for dopamine D2, D3 and serotonin 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A receptors. Moreover it possesses low affinity for 5-HT2C and H1 receptors (to reduce the risk of obesity associated with chronic treatment) and hERG channels (to reduce the incidence of torsade des pointes). Furthermore, compound 27 inhibited apomorphine-induced climbing, MK-801-induced hyperactivity and DOI-induced head twitch without observable catalepsy at the highest dose tested in mice. Taken together, among the amide derivatives, we identified compound 27 as a potential antipsychotic lead candidate.

The discovery and synthesis of a new series of pyrimidines as potent sigma-1 receptor (σ1R) antagonists, associated with pharmacological antineuropathic pain activity, are the focus of this article. The new compounds were evaluated in vitro in σ-1 and σ-2 receptor binding assays. The nature of the pyrimidine scaffold was crucial for activity, and a basic amine was shown to be necessary according to the known pharmacophoric model. The most promising derivative was 5-chloro-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-methyl-6-(3-(piperidin-1-yl)propoxy)pyrimidine (137), which exhibited a high binding affinity to σ1R receptor (Ki σ1 = 1.06 nM) and good σ-1/2 selectivity (1344-fold). In in vivo tests, compound 137 exerted dose-dependent antinociceptive effects in mice formalin model and rats CCI models of neuropathic pain. In addition, no motor impairments were found in rotarod tests; acceptable pharmacokinetic properties were also noted. These data suggest compound 137 may constitute a novel class of drugs for the treatment of neuropathic pain.

•A series of 3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinone derivatives were designed and synthesized.•The targeted compounds were evaluated affinity for sigma-1 and sigma-2 receptors.•Selected compounds were evaluated the functional profile on sigma-1 receptor.•In addition, the most active compounds were tested in formalin test.The synthesis and sigma-1 receptor (σ1R) antagonist activity of a new series of 3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinone derivatives are reported. The new compounds were evaluated in vitro in sigma-1 and sigma-2 receptor-binding assays in guinea pig brain membranes. The structure–activity relationship led us to the promising derivative 7-(3-(piperidin-1-yl)propoxy)-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinone (35). The compounds with highest affinity and greatest selectivity were further profiled, and compound 35 had a high binding constant for sigma-1 receptor (Kiσ1 = 1.22 nM) and high sigma-1/2 selectivity (1066-fold). Thus, compound 35, which proved to be an antagonist of sigma-1 receptor, emerged as the most interesting candidate. In addition, compound 35 exerted dose-dependent anti-nociceptive effects in the formalin test. These characteristics suggested that the potent and selective compound 35 could be a potent candidate for pain treatment.A series of novel 3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinone derivatives have been synthesized. The target compounds have been evaluated for anti-nociceptive activity in vitro and vivo.

•A series of coumarin derivatives were synthesized.•The targeted compounds were evaluated affinity for D2, 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors.•Selected compounds were evaluated affinity for D3 and H1 receptors.•In addition, the most active compounds were tested in vivo animal model.In this paper, we report the synthesis of novel, potential antipsychotic coumarin derivatives combining potent dopamine D2, D3 and serotonin 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A receptors properties. We describe the structure activity relationship that leads us to the promising derivative: 7-(4-(4-(6-fluorobenzo[d]isoxazol-3-yl)piperidin-1-yl)butoxy)-6-methyl-2,3-dihydrocyclopenta[c]chromen-4(1H)-one 27. The unique pharmacological features of compound 27 are a high affinity for dopamine D2, D3 and serotonin 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A receptors, together with a low affinity for H1 receptor (to reduce the risk of obesity under chronic treatment). In animal models, compound 27 inhibited apomorphine-induced climbing and MK-801-induced hyperactivity without observable catalepsy at the highest dose tested. In particular, compound 27 was more potent than clozapine.A series of new coumarin derivatives have been synthesized and the target compounds evaluated for atypical antipsychotic activity in vitro and vivo.

A series of benzoxazole/benzothiazole-2,3-dihydrobenzo[b][1,4]dioxine derivatives (5a–5d and 8a–8j) was synthesized. Compounds were evaluated for binding affinities at the 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors. Antidepressant activities of the compounds were screened using the forced swimming test (FST) and the tail suspension test (TST). The results indicated that the compounds exhibited high affinities for the 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors and showed a marked antidepressant-like activity. Compound 8g exhibited high affinities for the 5-HT1A (Ki = 17 nM) and 5-HT2A (Ki = 0.71 nM) receptors; it also produced a decrease of the immobility time and exhibited potent antidepressant-like effects in the FST and TST in mice.A series of benzoxazole/benzothiazole-containing 2,3-dihydrobenzo[b][1,4]dioxine derivatives was synthesized and the target compounds evaluated for antidepressant activity. The compounds described were evaluated for the 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors activities. Based on their in vitro and in vivo activity, the compounds demonstrated potential pharmacotherapy for the treatment of depressive disorders.

The discovery and synthesis of potential and novel antipsychotic coumarin derivatives, associated with potent dopamine D2, D3, and serotonin 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptor properties, are the focus of the present article. The most-promising derivative was 7-(4-(4-(6-fluorobenzo[d]isoxazol-3-yl)-piperidin-1-yl)butoxy)-4-methyl-8-chloro-2H-chromen-2-one (17m). This derivative possesses unique pharmacological features, including high affinity for dopamine D2 and D3 and serotonin 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors. Moreover, it possesses low affinity for 5-HT2C and H1 receptors (to reduce the risk of obesity associated with chronic treatment) and hERG channels (to reduce the incidence of torsade des pointes). In animal models, compound 17m inhibited apomorphine-induced climbing behavior, MK-801-induced hyperactivity, and the conditioned avoidance response without observable catalepsy at the highest dose tested. Further, fewer preclinical adverse events were noted with 17m compared with risperidone in assays that measured prolactin secretion and weight gain. Acceptable pharmacokinetic properties were also noted with 17m. Taken together, 17m may constitute a novel class of drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia.

We report a simple and rapid microwave-assisted method for the preparation of oligosaccharide-glycosylamines, followed by labelling with tris(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)phosphonium acetic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester. The facile strategy introduced a permanent charge at the reducing end of the oligosaccharide. In combination of MALDI-MS, the detection limit for maltoheptaose was as low as 2 fmol μL−1.

By use of the 6-hydroxypyridazinone framework, a new series of potent σ1 receptor ligands associated with pharmacological antineuropathic pain activity was synthesized and is described in this article. In vitro receptor binding studies revealed high σ1 receptor affinity (Ki σ1 = 1.4 nM) and excellent selectivity over not only σ2 receptor (1366-fold) but also other CNS targets (adrenergic, μ-opioid, sertonerigic receptors, etc.) for 2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-6-(3-(piperidin-1-yl)propoxy)pyridazin-3(2H)-one (compound 54). Compound 54 exhibited dose-dependent antiallodynic properties in mouse formalin model and rats chronic constriction injury (CCI) model of neuropathic pain. In addition, functional activity of compound 54 was evaluated using phenytoin and indicated that the compound was a σ1 receptor antagonist. Moreover, no motor impairments were found in rotarod tests at antiallodynic doses and no sedative side effect was evident in locomotor activity tests. Last but not least, good safety and favorable pharmacokinetic properties were also noted. These profiles suggest that compound 54 may be a member of a novel class of candidate drugs for treatment of neuropathic pain.

We report a simple and rapid microwave-assisted method for the preparation of oligosaccharide-glycosylamines, followed by labelling with tris(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)phosphonium acetic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester. The facile strategy introduced a permanent charge at the reducing end of the oligosaccharide. In combination of MALDI-MS, the detection limit for maltoheptaose was as low as 2 fmol μL−1.