1-(Indolin-1-yl)-1-phenyl-3-propan-2-olamines as potent and selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

J Med Chem. 2010 Mar 11;53(5):2051-62. doi: 10.1021/jm901559e.

Abstract

Efforts to identify new selective and potent norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (NRIs) for multiple indications by structural modification of the previous 3-(arylamino)-3-phenylpropan-2-olamine scaffold led to the discovery of a novel series of 1-(indolin-1-yl)-1-phenyl-3-propan-2-olamines (9). Investigation of the structure-activity relationships revealed that small alkyl substitution at the C3 position of the indoline ring enhanced selectivity for the norepinephrine transporter (NET) over the serotonin transporter (SERT). Several compounds bearing a 3,3-dimethyl group on the indoline ring, 9k, 9o,p, and 9s,t, exhibited potent inhibition of NET (IC(50) = 2.7-6.5 nM) and excellent selectivity over both serotonin and dopamine transporters. The best example from this series, 9p, a potent and highly selective NRI, displayed oral efficacy in a telemetric rat model of ovariectomized-induced thermoregulatory dysfunction, a mouse p-phenylquinone (PPQ) model of acute visceral pain, and a rat spinal nerve ligation (SNL) model of neuropathic pain.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Temperature Regulation / drug effects
  • Female
  • Indoles / chemical synthesis
  • Indoles / chemistry
  • Indoles / pharmacology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Neurotransmitter Uptake Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Neurotransmitter Uptake Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Neurotransmitter Uptake Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Norepinephrine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Norepinephrine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism
  • Pain / drug therapy
  • Propanolamines / chemical synthesis
  • Propanolamines / chemistry
  • Propanolamines / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Indoles
  • Neurotransmitter Uptake Inhibitors
  • Norepinephrine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Propanolamines