Synthesis and biological evaluation of a series of novel pyridinecarboxamides as potential multi-receptor antipsychotic drugs.

In previous study, a series of benzamides was identified as potent antipsychotic agents. As a continuation of the program to discover novel antipsychotics, herein we reported the evaluation of a series of pyridinecarboxamide derivatives. The most promising compound 7h not only held good activities on dopamine D ₂ , serotonin 5-HT _1A and 5-HT _2A receptors, but also exhibited low potency for α _1A , H ₁ and 5-HT _2C receptors, indicating a low propensity of side effects like orthostatic hypotension and weight gain. Furthermore, 7h exhibited more potent antipsychotic-like effect than aripiprazole in behavioral studies. The preliminary results were promising enough for further research around this scaffold.
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