Design, Synthesis, Molecular Docking, and Biological Evaluation of Novel Pimavanserin-Based Analogues as Potential Serotonin 5-HT2A Receptor Inverse Agonists

J Med Chem. 2023 Jul 13;66(13):9057-9075. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00662. Epub 2023 Jun 28.

Abstract

There is concern for important adverse effects with use of second-generation antipsychotics in Parkinson's disease psychosis (PDP) and dementia-related psychosis. Pimavanserin is the only antipsychotic drug authorized for PDP and represents an inverse agonist of 5-HT2A receptors (5-HT2AR) lacking affinity for dopamine receptors. Therefore, the development of serotonin 5-HT2AR inverse agonists without dopaminergic activity represents a challenge for different neuropsychiatric disorders. Using ligand-based drug design, we discovered a novel structure of pimavanserin analogues (2, 3, and 4). In vitro competition receptor binding and functional G protein coupling assays demonstrated that compounds 2, 3, and 4 showed higher potency than pimavanserin as 5-HT2AR inverse agonists in the human brain cortex and recombinant cells. To assess the effect of molecular substituents for selectivity and inverse agonism at 5-HT2ARs, molecular docking and in silico predicted physicochemical parameters were performed. Docking studies were in agreement with in vitro screenings and the results resembled pimavanserin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antipsychotic Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Drug Inverse Agonism
  • Humans
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Psychotic Disorders* / drug therapy
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A
  • Serotonin / therapeutic use
  • Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Agonists / pharmacology
  • Serotonin Receptor Agonists / therapeutic use
  • Urea / pharmacology

Substances

  • Serotonin
  • pimavanserin
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A
  • Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Agonists
  • Serotonin Receptor Agonists
  • Urea
  • Antipsychotic Agents