N-aminoalkylderivatives of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline-1-spiro-4'-N'- benzylpiperidine--a putative way to novel anxiolytic agents

Abstract

A series of aminoalkylderivatives of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline-1-spiro-4'-N'-benzylpiperidine were synthesized by means of chloroacetylation of the title compound and substitution of chlorine atom with various heterocyclic amines in DMSO, followed by LAH reduction of the carbonyl group. Of the ten tested compounds (4a-4e, 5a-5e), compound 5d given ip, but not orally, showed an anxiolytic activity in the four-plate test in mice and in the conflict test in rats. Compound 5d is devoid of an anticonvulsant or neurotoxic action. The activity of compound 5d resembles this of buspirone.