First-in-Class Selenium-Containing Potent Serotonin Receptor 5-HT6 Agents with a Beneficial Neuroprotective Profile against Alzheimer's Disease

J Med Chem. 2024 Jan 25;67(2):1580-1610. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02148. Epub 2024 Jan 8.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has a complex and not-fully-understood etiology. Recently, the serotonin receptor 5-HT6 emerged as a promising target for AD treatment; thus, here a new series of 5-HT6R ligands with a 1,3,5-triazine core and selenoether linkers was explored. Among them, the 2-naphthyl derivatives exhibited strong 5-HT6R affinity and selectivity over 5-HT1AR (13-15), 5-HT7R (14 and 15), and 5-HT2AR (13). Compound 15 displayed high selectivity for 5-HT6R over other central nervous system receptors and exhibited low risk of cardio-, hepato-, and nephrotoxicity and no mutagenicity, indicating its "drug-like" potential. Compound 15 also demonstrated neuroprotection against rotenone-induced neurotoxicity as well as antioxidant and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)-like activity and regulated antioxidant and pro-inflammatory genes and NRF2 nuclear translocation. In rats, 15 showed satisfying pharmacokinetics, penetrated the blood-brain barrier, reversed MK-801-induced memory impairment, and exhibited anxiolytic-like properties. 15's neuroprotective and procognitive-like effects, stronger than those of the approved drug donepezil, may pave the way for the use of selenotriazines to inhibit both causes and symptoms in AD therapy.

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease* / drug therapy
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use
  • Neuroprotection
  • Neuroprotective Agents* / pharmacology
  • Neuroprotective Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptors, Serotonin
  • Selenium*
  • Serotonin / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Serotonin
  • Selenium
  • Antioxidants
  • Receptors, Serotonin
  • Neuroprotective Agents