Modulating the Serotonin Receptor Spectrum of Pulicatin Natural Products

J Nat Prod. 2017 Aug 25;80(8):2360-2370. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.7b00317. Epub 2017 Jul 26.

Abstract

Serotonin (5-HT) receptors are important in health and disease, but the existence of 14 subtypes necessitates selective ligands. Previously, the pulicatins were identified as ligands that specifically bound to the subtype 5-HT2B in the 500 nM to 10 μM range and that exhibited in vitro effects on cultured mouse neurons. Here, we examined the structure-activity relationship of 30 synthetic and natural pulicatin derivatives using binding, receptor functionality, and in vivo assays. The results reveal the 2-arylthiazoline scaffold as a tunable serotonin receptor-targeting pharmacophore. Tests in mice show potential antiseizure and antinociceptive activities at high doses without motor impairment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Products / isolation & purification*
  • Biological Products / pharmacology*
  • Ligands
  • Mice
  • Molecular Structure
  • Receptors, Serotonin / chemistry*
  • Receptors, Serotonin / metabolism*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Thiazolidines / chemistry
  • Thiazolidines / isolation & purification*
  • Thiazolidines / metabolism
  • Thiazolidines / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Biological Products
  • Ligands
  • Receptors, Serotonin
  • Thiazolidines
  • pulicatin B