SB-616234-A (1-[6-(cis-3,5-dimethylpiperazin-1-yl)-2,3-dihydro-5-methoxyindol-1-yl]-1-[2′methyl-4′-(5-methyl-1,2,3-oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-yl]methanone hydrochloride): A novel, potent and selective 5-HT1B receptor antagonist

SB-616234-A possesses high affinity for human 5-HT1B receptors stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells (pKi 8.3 ± 0.2), and is over 100-fold selective for a range of molecular targets except h5-HT1D receptors (pKi 6.6 ± 0.1). Similarly, affinity (pKi) for rat and guinea pig striatal 5-HT1B receptors is 9.2 ± 0.1. In [35S]-GTPγS binding studies in the human recombinant cell line, SB-616234-A acted as a high affinity antagonist with a pA2 value of 8.6 ± 0.2 whilst providing no evidence of agonist activity in this system. In [35S]-GTPγS binding studies in rat striatal membranes, SB-616234-A acted as a high affinity antagonist with an apparent pKB of 8.4 ± 0.5, again whilst providing no evidence of agonist activity in this system. SB-616234-A (1 μM) potentiated electrically stimulated [3H]-5-HT release from guinea pig and rat cortical slices (S2/S1 ratios of 1.8 and 1.6, respectively). SB-616234-A (0.3–30 mg kg−1 p.o.) caused a dose-dependent inhibition of ex vivo [3H]-GR125743 binding to rat striatal 5-HT1B receptors with an ED50 of 2.83 ± 0.39 mg kg−1 p.o. Taken together these data suggest that SB-616234-A is a potent and selective 5-HT1B autoreceptor antagonist that occupies central 5-HT1B receptors in vivo following oral administration.