Synthesis, computational studies, and preliminary pharmacological evaluation of new arylpiperazines as potential antipsychotics.

A series of long-chain arylpiperazines bearing a salicylamide fragment were synthesized, and the target compounds were evaluated for atypical antipsychotic activity in apomorphine-induced climbing behavior (D antagonism) and 5-HTP-induced head twitches (5-HT antagonism) along with catalepsy studies in mice. The physicochemical similarity values of the target compounds with respect to standard drugs, clozapine, ketanserin, and risperidone, were determined using software programs. The test compounds demonstrated good similarity values with respect to the standard drugs. The compounds 3a showed maximum atypical antipsychotic like profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]