Affinity For 5-HT1A Receptors Research Articles

Neurochemical binding profiles of novel indole and benzofuran MDMA analogues

3,4-Methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in numerous clinical trials. In the present study, we have characterized the neurochemical binding profiles of three MDMA-benzofuran analogues (1-(benzofuran-5-yl)-propan-2-amine, 5-APB; 1-(benzofuran-6-yl)-N-methylpropan-2-amine, 6-MAPB; 1-(benzofuran-5-yl)-N-methylpropan-2-amine, 5-MAPB) and one MDMA-indole analogue (1-(1H-indol-5-yl)-2-methylamino-propan-1-ol, 5-IT). These compounds were screened as potential second-generation anti-PTSD drugs, against a battery of human and non-human receptors, transporters, and enzymes, and their potencies as 5-HT2 receptor agonist and monoamine uptake inhibitors determined. All MDMA analogues displayed high binding affinities for 5-HT2a,b,c and NEα2 receptors, as well as significant 5-HT, DA, and NE uptake inhibition. 5-APB revealed significant agonist activity at the 5-HT2a,b,c receptors, while 6-MAPB, 5-MAPB, and 5-IT exhibited significant agonist activity at the 5-HT2c receptor. There was a lack of correlation between the results of functional uptake and the monoamine transporter binding assay. MDMA analogues emerged as potent and selective monoamine oxidase A inhibitors. Based on 6-MAPB favorable pharmacological profile, it was further subjected to IC50 determination for monoamine transporters. Overall, all MDMA analogues displayed higher monoamine receptor/transporter binding affinities and agonist activity at the 5-HT2a,c receptors as compared to MDMA.

Structure-5-HT/D2 Receptor Affinity Relationship in a New Group of 1-Arylpiperazynylalkyl Derivatives of 8-Dialkylamino-3,7-dimethyl-1H-purine-2,6(3H,7H)-dione.

In our previous papers, we have reported that some 8-amino-1,3-dimethyl-1H-purine-2,6(3H,7H)-dione derivatives possessed high affinity and displayed agonistic, partial agonistic, or antagonistic activity for serotonin 5-HT1A and dopamine D2 receptors. In order to examine further the influence of the substituent in the position 8 of the purine moiety and the influence of the xanthine core on the affinity for serotonin 5-HT1A , 5-HT2A , 5-HT6 , 5-HT7 , and dopamine D2 receptors, two series of 1-arylpiperazynylalkyl derivatives of 8-amino-3,7-dimethyl-1H-purine-2,6(3H,7H)-dione were synthesized. All the final compounds were investigated in in vitro competition binding experiments for the serotonin 5-HT1A , 5-HT2A , 5-HT6 , 5-HT7 , and dopamine D2 receptors. The structure-affinity relationships for this group of compounds were discussed. For selected compounds, the functional assays for the 5-HT1A and D2 receptors were carried out. The results of the assays indicated that these groups of derivatives possessed antagonistic activity for 5-HT1A receptors and agonistic, partial agonistic, or antagonistic activity for D2 receptors. In total, 26 new compounds were synthesized, 20 of which were tested in in vitro binding experiments and 5 were tested in in vitro functional assays.

Synthesis and pharmacological characterization of novel N-(trans-4-(2-(4-(benzo[d]isothiazol-3-yl)piperazin-1-yl)ethyl)cyclohexyl)amides as potential multireceptor atypical antipsychotics

A series of novel benzisothiazolylpiperazine derivatives combining potent dopamine D2 and D3, and serotonin 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptor properties were synthesized and evaluated for their potential antipsychotic properties. The most-promising derivative was 9j. The unique pharmacological features of 9j were a high affinity for D2, D3, 5-HT1A, and 5-HT2A receptors, together with a 20-fold selectivity for the D3 versus D2 subtype, and a low affinity for muscarinic M1 (reducing the risk of anticholinergic side effects), and for hERG channels (reducing incidence of QT interval prolongation). In animal behavioral models, 9j inhibited the locomotor-stimulating effects of phencyclidine, blocked conditioned avoidance response, and improved the cognitive deficit in the novel object recognition tests in rats. 9j exhibited a low potential for catalepsy, consistent with results with risperidone. In addition, favorable brain penetration of 9j in rats was detected. These studies have demonstrated that 9j is a potential atypical antipsychotic candidate.

Reformulating a Pharmacophore for 5-HT2A Serotonin Receptor Antagonists.

Several pharmacophore models have been proposed for 5-HT2A serotonin receptor antagonists. These typically consist of two aromatic/hydrophobic moieties separated by a given distance from each other, and from a basic amine. Although specified distances might vary, the models are relatively similar in their general construction. Because our preliminary data indicated that two aromatic (hydrophobic) moieties might not be required for such action, we deconstructed the serotonin-dopamine antipsychotic agent risperidone (1) into four smaller structural fragments that were thoroughly examined in 5-HT2A receptor binding and functional (i.e., two-electrode voltage clamp (TEVC) and intracellular calcium release) assays. It was apparent that truncated risperidone analogues behaved as antagonists. In particular, 6-fluoro-3-(1-methylpiperidin-4-yl)benzisoxazole (4) displayed high affinity for 5-HT2A receptors (Ki of ca. 12 nM) relative to risperidone (Ki of ca. 5 nM) and behaved as a potent 5-HT2A serotonin receptor antagonist. These results suggest that multiple aromatic (hydrophobic) moieties are not essential for high-affinity 5-HT2A receptor binding and antagonist activity and that current pharmacophore models for such agents are very much in need of revision.

Synthesis and biological investigation of new equatorial (β) stereoisomers of 3-aminotropane arylamides with atypical antipsychotic profile

A series of novel 3β-aminotropane derivatives containing a 2-naphthalene or a 2-quinoline moiety was synthesised and evaluated for their affinity for 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A and D2 receptors. Their affinity for the receptors was in the nanomolar to micromolar range. p-Substitution (6c, 6f, 6i, 6l, 6o), as well as substitution with chlorine atoms (6g, 6h, 6i), led to a significant increase in binding affinity for D2 receptors with compounds 6f (Ki=0.6nM), 6c and 6i (Ki=0.4nM), having the highest binding affinities. m-Substituted derivatives were the most promising ligands in terms of 5-HT2A receptor binding affinity whereas 2-quinoline derivatives (10a, 10b) displayed the highest affinity for 5-HT1AR and were the most selective ligands with Ki=62.7nM and Ki=30.5nM, respectively. Finally, the selected ligands 6b, 6d, 6e, 6g, 6h, 6k, 6n and 6o, with triple binding activity for the D2, 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors, were subjected to in vivo tests, such as those for induced hypothermia, climbing behaviour and the head twitch response, in order to determine their pharmacological profile. The tested ligands presented neither agonist nor antagonist properties for the 5-HT1A receptors in the induced hypothermia and lower lip retraction (LLR) tests. All tested compounds displayed antagonistic activity against 5-HT2A, with 6n and 6o being the most active. Four (6b, 6k, 6n and 6o) out of eight tested compounds could be classified as D2 antagonists. Additionally, evaluation of metabolic stability was performed for selected ligands, and introduction of halogen atoms into the benzene ring of 6h, 6k, 6n and 6o improved their metabolic stability. The project resulted in the selection of the lead compounds 6n and 6o, which had antipsychotic profiles, combining dopamine D2-receptor and 5-HT2A antagonism and metabolic stability.

HBK-7 — A new xanthone derivative and a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist with antidepressant-like properties

Xanthone derivatives possess many biological properties, including neuroprotective, antioxidant or antidepressant-like. In this study we aimed to investigate antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like properties of a new xanthone derivative – 6-methoxy-4-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-9H-xanthen-9-one (HBK-7), as well as its possible mechanism of action, and the influence on cognitive and motor function. HBK-7 in our earlier studies showed high affinity for serotonergic 5-HT1A receptor. We determined the affinity of HBK-7 for CNS receptors and transporters using radioligand assays and examined its intrinsic activity towards 5-HT1A receptor. We evaluated antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like activity of HBK-7 in the mouse forced swim test, and four-plate test, respectively. We examined the influence on locomotor activity in mice to determine if the effect observed in the forced swim test was specific. We used step-through passive avoidance and rotarod tests to evaluate the influence of HBK-7 on cognitive and motor function, respectively. HBK-7 showed moderate affinity for dopaminergic D2 receptor and very low for serotonergic 5-HT2A, adrenergic α2 receptors, as well as serotonin transporter. Functional studies revealed that HBK-7 was a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist. HBK-7 (10mg/kg) decreased immobility time in the forced swim test. Combined treatment with sub-effective doses of HBK-7 and fluoxetine reduced immobility of mice in the forced swim test. Pretreatment with p-chlorophenylalanine and WAY-100,635 antagonized the antidepressant-like effect of HBK-7. Neither of the treatments influenced locomotor activity of mice. HBK-7 at antidepressant-like dose did not impair memory or motor coordination in mice. We demonstrated that HBK-7 was a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist with potent, comparable to mianserin, antidepressant-like activity. HBK-7 mediated its effect through serotonergic system and its antidepressant-like action required the activation of 5-HT1A receptors. At active dose it did not influence cognitive and motor function. Since 5-HT1A receptor antagonists may accelerate the occurrence of antidepressant effect, our findings highlight their potential as future antidepressants.

Erratum: Synthesis of Some Aminophosphonates BearingN-(Fluorophenyl)-piperazynyl Moiety and Their Activity toward Serotonin Receptors

Syntheses of a series of compounds bearing a 1-(fluorophenyl)piperazin-4-ylmethyl moiety, namely dialkyl 1-(fluorophenyl)piperazin-4-ylmethyl phosphonates 3a–f, diethyl 2-[1-(fluorophenyl)piperazin-4-yl]-ethyl phosphonates 4a,b, diethyl 3-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-piperazin-4-yl]-propyl phosphonate 5, and di[1-(fluorophenyl)piperazin-4-yl]methanes 6a,b were performed, and some of them were screened for their affinity for serotonin 5-HT1A, 5-HT6, and 5-HT7 receptors. Moderate interactions with these receptors were demonstrated.

A phenethylamine derivative 2-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-[(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)methyl]ethanamine (25I-NB34MD) and a piperazine derivative 1-(3,4-difluoromethylenedioxybenzyl)piperazine (DF-MDBP), newly detected in illicit products

Two new psychoactive substances (NPSs), a phenethylamine derivative 2-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-[(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)methyl]ethanamine (25I-NB34MD, 1) and a piperazine derivative 1-(3,4-difluoromethylenedioxybenzyl)piperazine (DF-MDBP, 2), were identified in illicit products distributed from January to March 2015 in Japan. The identification was based on liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), high-resolution MS and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses. Compound 1 has a 3,4-methylenedioxybenzyl moiety that is an analog of N-benzylmethoxy derivatives of 2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamines (“NBOMe”-compounds), e.g., 25I-NBOMe. Compound 2 is a difluoromethylenedioxy analog of the known designer drug 1-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzyl)piperazine (MDBP). To our knowledge, this is the first report of compounds 1 and 2 detected as NPSs in illicit products. Although there is no chemical or pharmaceutical information for compound 1, a 2,3-methylenedioxy isomer of 1, 25I-NBMD, was reported to have a binding affinity for 5-HT2A receptor. In the GC–MS and LC–MS analyses, compound 1 (25I-NB34MD) showed spectra that are very similar to those of the isomer 25I-NBMD. The structure of compound 1 was determined here by an NMR analysis. Considering these results, we should be careful when analyzing NPSs in illicit products to prevent their misidentification as isomers of other NPSs. It is important to directly compare an unknown substance with an authentic substance by using multiple instruments such as GC–MS and LC–MS.

Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship for High Affinity 5-HT1A Receptor Ligands Based on Norm Indexes.

Arylpiperazine derivatives are promising 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor ligands which can inhibit serotonin reuptake effectively. In this work, some norm index descriptors were proposed and further utilized to develop a model for predicting 5-HT1A receptor affinity (pKi) of 88 arylpiperazine derivatives. Results showed that this new model could provide satisfactory predictions with the square of the correction coefficient (R(2)) of 0.8891 and the squared correlation coefficient of cross-validation (Q(2)) of 0.8082, respectively. In addition, the applicability domain of this model was validated by using the leverage approach and results which suggested potential large scale for further utilization of this model. The results of statistical values and validation tests demonstrated that our proposed norm index based model could be successfully applied for predicting the affinity 5-HT1A receptor ligands of arylpiperazine derivatives.

Synthesis and evaluation of aporphine analogs containing C1 allyl isosteres at the h5-HT(2A) receptor.

A series of C1 aporphine analogs related to compound 5 and that contain substituted allylic, alkynyl, nitrile, ester and benzyl groups was synthesized and evaluated for affinity at h5HT2A and α1A receptors in functional activity assays that measure calcium release. The presence of branched allylic substituent groups diminished affinity for the h5HT2A receptor. Likewise, the alkynyl, nitrile and ester derivatives evaluated displayed lower 5-HT2A receptor affinity as compared to 5. Hydrophobic, steric and electronic effects impact the affinity of p-substituted benzyl derivatives 8i-8k but in different ways. High hydrophobicity and size favor 5-HT2A affinity whereas, high electronegativity disfavors 5-HT2A affinity. p-Bromobenzyl analog 8k was identified as a 5-HT2A receptor selective ligand, with the highest 5-HT2A receptor affinity of any aporphine known to date. Most of the other analogs were selective for the 5-HT2A versus the α1A receptor. ChemScore binding energies from docking studies correlated qualitatively with the observed trends in affinity for 8i-8k, although the binding energies were not well differentiated quantitatively.

Flibanserin: First Global Approval

Flibanserin (Addyi™) is chemically described as a benzimidazole and is being developed by Sprout Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). The drug has a high affinity for serotonin 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors (5-HT1A agonist/5-HT2A antagonist) and is believed to treat HSDD by increasing levels of dopamine and noradrenaline and lowering levels of serotonin in the brain. Flibanserin has been approved in the USA for the treatment of premenopausal women with acquired, generalized HSDD. Earlier phase III development of the agent for HSDD in the EU and Canada had been discontinued by Boehringer Ingelheim, following regulatory feedback. Boehringer Ingelheim had also evaluated flibanserin for the treatment of depression but, due to displaying very mild antidepressant activity, its development in this indication was discontinued. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of flibanserin leading to its first approval for HSDD.

Arylpiperazinylalkyl derivatives of 8-amino-1,3-dimethylpurine-2,6-dione as novel multitarget 5-HT/D receptor agents with potential antipsychotic activity

A series of new 7-arylpiperazinylalkyl-1,3-dimethyl-purine-2,6-dione derivatives with diversified 8-amino substituent in 8 position was synthesized and their 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, 5-HT6, 5-HT7, and D2 receptor affinities were determined. The binding study allowed identifying some potent 5-HT1A/5-HT2A/5-HT7/D2 ligands. The most interesting because of their multireceptor profile were 8-piperidine (30–35) and 8-dipropylamine (45–47) analogs with four and five carbon aliphatic linkers. The selected compounds 24, 31, 34, 39, 41, 43, 45, and 46 in the functional in vitro evaluation for all targeted receptors showed significant partial D2 agonist, partial 5-HT1A agonist, and 5-HT2A antagonist properties. The advantageous in vitro affinity of compound 34 for 5-HT1A and D2 receptors has been explained by means of molecular modeling, taking into consideration its partial agonist activity towards the latter one. In behavioral studies, compounds 32 and 34 revealed antipsychotic-like properties, significantly decreasing d-amphetamine-induced hyperactivity in mice.

Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of piperidine (piperazine)-substituted benzoxazole derivatives as multi-target antipsychotics.

The present study describes the optimization of a series of novel benzoxazole-piperidine (piperazine) derivatives combining high dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A receptor affinities. Of these derivatives, the pharmacological features of compound 29 exhibited high affinities for the DA D2, 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors, but low affinities for the 5-HT2C and histamine H1 receptors and human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) channels. Furthermore, compound 29 reduced apomorphine-induced climbing and 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI)-induced head twitching without observable catalepsy, even at the highest dose tested. Thus, compound 29 is a promising candidate as a multi-target antipsychotic treatment.

Neuroprotective arylpiperazine dopaminergic/serotonergic ligands suppress experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in rats

Arylpiperazine-based dopaminergic/serotonergic ligands exert neuroprotective activity. We examined the effect of arylpiperazine D2 /5-HT1A ligands, N-{4-[2-(4-phenyl-piperazin-1-yl)-ethyl}-phenyl]-picolinamide (6a) and N-{3-[2-(4-phenyl-piperazin-1-yl)-ethyl]-phenyl}-picolinamide (6b), in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model of neuroinflammation. Both compounds (10mg/kg i.p.) reduced EAE clinical signs in spinal cord homogenate-immunized Dark Agouti rats. Compound 6b was more efficient in delaying the disease onset and reducing the maximal clinical score, which correlated with its higher affinity for D2 and 5-HT1A receptors. The protection was retained if treatment was limited to the effector (from day 8 onwards), but not the induction phase (day 0-7) of EAE. Compound 6b reduced CNS immune infiltration and expression of mRNA encoding the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor, IL-6, IL-1, and GM-CSF, TH 1 cytokine IFN-γ, TH 17 cytokine IL-17, as well as the signature transcription factors of TH 1 (T-bet) and TH 17 (RORγt) cells. Arylpiperazine treatment reduced apoptosis and increased the activation of anti-apoptotic mediators Akt and p70S6 kinase in the CNS of EAE animals. The invitro treatment with 6b protected oligodendrocyte cell line OLN-93 and neuronal cell line PC12 from mitogen-activated normal T cells or myelin basic protein-activated encephalitogenic T cells. In conclusion, arylpiperazine dopaminergic/serotonergic ligands suppress EAE through a direct neuroprotective action and decrease in CNS inflammation. Arylpiperazine dopaminergic/serotonergic ligands reduce neurological symptoms of acute autoimmune encephalomyelitis in rats without affecting the activation of autoreactive immune response, through mechanisms involving a decrease in CNS immune infiltration, as well as direct protection of CNS from immune-mediated damage. These data indicate potential usefulness of arylpiperazine-based compounds in the treatment of neuroinflammatory disorders such as multiple sclerosis.

Effects of sarizotan in animal models of ADHD: challenging pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationships.

Sarizotan 1-[(2R)-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-2-yl]-N-[[5-(4-fluorophenyl) pyridin-3-yl]methyl] methenamine, showed an in vivo pharmaco-EEG profile resembling that of methylphenidate which is used in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In turn, we tested sarizotan against impulsivity in juvenile rats measuring the choice for large delayed vs. a small immediate reward in a T-maze and obtained encouraging results starting at 0.03 mg/kg (plasma levels of ~11 nM). Results from rats treated neonatally with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), also supported anti-ADHD activity although starting at 0.3 mg/kg. However, microdialysis studies revealed that free brain concentration of sarizotan at active doses were below its affinity for 5-HT1A receptors, the assumed primary target. In contrast, electrophysiological experiments in mid-brain Raphé serotonergic cells paralleled by plasma sampling showed that there was ~60% inhibition of firing rate—indicating significant activation of 5-HT1A receptors—at a plasma concentration of 76 nM. In line with this, we observed that sarizotan concentrations in brain homogenates were similar to total blood levels but over 500 fold higher than free extracellular fluid (ECF) concentrations as measured using brain microdialysis. These data suggest that sarizotan may have potential anti-ADHD effects at low doses free of the previously reported side-effects. Moreover, in this case a classical pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationship based on free brain concentrations seems to be less appropriate than target engagement pharmacodynamic readouts.

Structure-5-HT receptor affinity relationship in a new group of 7-arylpiperazynylalkyl and 7-tetrahydroisoquinolinylalkyl derivatives of 8-amino-1,3-dimethyl-1H-purine-2,6(3H,7H)-dione.

In our previous paper, we have reported that some 8-alkoxy-1,3-dimethyl-1H-purine-2,6(3H,7H)-dione derivatives possessed high affinity and displayed agonistic activity for the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor. In order to examine the influence of the substituent in the position 8 of the purine moiety on the affinity for the serotonin 5-HT1A , 5-HT2A , and 5-HT7 receptors, a series of 7-arylpiperazynylalkyl and 7-tetrahydroisoquinolinylalkyl (THIQ) derivatives of 8-amino-1,3-dimethyl-1H-purine-2,6(3H,7H)-dione were synthesized. All the final compounds were investigated in in vitro competition binding experiments for serotonin 5-HT1A , 5-HT2A , and 5-HT7 receptors. The structure-affinity relationships for this group of compounds were discussed. For selected compounds, functional assays for the 5-HT1A receptor were carried out. The results of the assays indicated that these groups of derivatives possessed antagonistic activity for this receptor.

Solid-Supported Synthesis and 5-HT7 /5-HT1A Receptor Affinity of Arylpiperazinylbutyl Derivatives of 4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-triazine-6-(1H)-one.

A series of arylpiperazinylbutyl derivatives of 4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-triazine-6(1H)-ones was designed and synthesized according to the new solid-supported methodology. In this approach, triazinone scaffold was constructed from the Fmoc-protected glycine. The library representatives showed different levels of affinity for 5-HT7 and 5-HT1A receptors; compounds 13, 14 and 18-20 were classified as dual 5-HT7 /5-HT1A receptors ligands. The structure-affinity relationship analysis revealed that the receptor affinity and selectivity of the tested compounds depended on the kind of substituent in position 3 of triazinone fragment as well as substitution pattern of the phenylpiperazine moiety.

Synthesis and binding properties of new long-chain 4-substituted piperazine derivatives as 5-HT₁A and 5-HT₇ receptor ligands.

New long-chain 4-substituted piperazines linked to a thienopyrimidine or a quinazoline system were synthesized and tested for their binding properties on human cloned 5-HT1A and 5-HT7 serotonin receptors. Some structural modifications, concerning tree main portions, that is, terminal fragment, chain length, and aryl substituents, were examined. The 2- and 3-substituted thienopyrimidinone and quinazolinone systems were selected as terminal fragment and a chain length of four or five methylene units was set. Explored aryl substituents were phenyl, phenylmethyl, 3- or 4-chlorophenyl, and 2-ethoxyphenyl. Title compounds showed affinity for 5-HT1A and 5-HT7 receptors. In particular, 2-ethoxyphenyl derivatives 40 and 45 displayed Ki values in the nanomolar range on both receptors, acting as dual ligands.

Synthesis and preliminary studies of biological activity of amino derivatives of 4-azatricyclo- [5.2.1.02,6]dec-8-ene-3,5-dione with silicon in the structure

Abstract A series of 38 new derivatives of cyclic imides containing silicon in the structure was synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR, ESI-MS, and elemental analysis. Selected compounds (1l,m, 1g, 1o,p, 2l,m, and 2o,p) were tested for their cytotoxic properties in human chronic myelogenous leukemia (K562), human cervical cancer (HeLa), and normal endothelial cells (HUVEC). Seven compounds showed significant cytotoxicity. In addition, two compounds (1l and 2l) were tested toward affinity for 5-HT1A, 5-HT6, and 5-HT7 serotonin receptors, and all aryl/heteroarylopiperazino derivatives were tested for antimicrobial activity. The compounds tested toward affinity for selected serotonin receptors showed high and moderate affinity for 5-HT1A and 5-HT7, while the antimicrobial activity of tested compounds was not significant.

Yokukansan Increases 5-HT1A Receptors in the Prefrontal Cortex and Enhances 5-HT1A Receptor Agonist-Induced Behavioral Responses in Socially Isolated Mice.

The traditional Japanese medicine yokukansan has an anxiolytic effect, which occurs after repeated administration. In this study, to investigate the underlying mechanisms, we examined the effects of repeated yokukansan administration on serotonin 1A (5-HT1A) receptor density and affinity and its expression at both mRNA and protein levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of socially isolated mice. Moreover, we examined the effects of yokukansan on a 5-HT1A receptor-mediated behavioral response. Male mice were subjected to social isolation stress for 6 weeks and simultaneously treated with yokukansan. Thereafter, the density and affinity of 5-HT1A receptors were analyzed by a receptor-binding assay. Levels of 5-HT1A receptor protein and mRNA were also measured. Furthermore, (±)-8-hydroxy-2-(dipropylamino)tetralin hydrobromide (8-OH-DPAT; a 5-HT1A receptor agonist) was injected intraperitoneally, and rearing behavior was examined. Social isolation stress alone did not affect 5-HT1A receptor density or affinity. However, yokukansan significantly increased receptor density and decreased affinity concomitant with unchanged protein and mRNA levels. Yokukansan also enhanced the 8-OH-DPAT-induced decrease in rearing behavior. These results suggest that yokukansan increases 5-HT1A receptors in the PFC of socially isolated mice and enhances their function, which might underlie its anxiolytic effects.