Diclofensine (Ro 8-4650) was developed by Hoffmann-La Roche in the 1970s[1] in the search for a new antidepressant. It was found that the (S)-isomer was responsible for activity.[2] Diclofensine is a stimulant drug which acts as a triple monoamine reuptake inhibitor,[3][4] primarily inhibiting the reuptake of dopamine[5] and norepinephrine,[6] with affinities (Ki) of 16.8 nM, 15.7 nM, and 51 nM for DAT, NET, and SERT (dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin transporters), respectively.[7] It was found to be an effective antidepressant in human trials,[8][9][10] with relatively few side effects,[11] but was ultimately dropped from clinical development, possibly due to concerns about its abuse potential.[12][13]
The condensation of m-anisaldehyde [591-31-1] (1) with methylamine gives N-methyl-3-methoxybenzenemethanimine [16928-30-6]. Reduction of this Schiff-base intermediate with sodium borohydride gives (3-methoxybenzyl)methylamine [41789-95-1] (2). Alkylation of this with 3,4-dichlorophenacylbromide [2632-10-2] (3) would give CID:59580342 (4). Reduction of the benzoyl ketone with sodium borohydride gives the alcohol [802051-24-7] (5). Acid catalyzed intramolecular cyclization then completes the synthesis of the 4-aryl-THIQ derivative, diclofensine (6).
^US Patent 3947456 A, Alfred Rheiner, "Substituted 4-Phenyl Isoquinolines", published 1976-03-30, assigned to Hoffman-La Roche Inc.
^Crossley R (1995). Chirality and the Biological Activity of Drugs. 2000 Corporate Blvd., N.W., Boca Raton, Florida 33431: CRC Press, Inc. p. 138. ISBN978-0-8493-9140-8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
^Keller HH, Schaffner R, Carruba MO, Burkard WP, Pieri M, Bonetti EP, et al. (1982). "Diclofensine (Ro 8-4650)--a potent inhibitor of monoamine uptake: biochemical and behavioural effects in comparison with nomifensine". Advances in Biochemical Psychopharmacology. 31: 249–63. PMID6979165.
^Omer LM (July 1982). "Pilot trials with diclofensine, a new psychoactive drug in depressed patients". International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, Therapy, and Toxicology. 20 (7): 320–6. PMID7107085.
^Di Renzo G, Amoroso S, Taglialatela M, Canzoniero LM, Maida P, Lombardi G, Annunziato L (1988). "Pure uptake blockers of dopamine can reduce prolactin secretion: studies with diclofensine". Life Sciences. 42 (21): 2161–9. doi:10.1016/0024-3205(88)90131-2. PMID2968488.
^Gasić S, Korn A, Eichler HG (May 1986). "Effect of diclofensine, a novel antidepressant, on peripheral adrenergic function". Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 39 (5): 582–5. doi:10.1038/clpt.1986.100. PMID3698467. S2CID34977195.
^Andersen PH (August 1989). "The dopamine inhibitor GBR 12909: selectivity and molecular mechanism of action". European Journal of Pharmacology. 166 (3): 493–504. doi:10.1016/0014-2999(89)90363-4. PMID2530094.
^Cherpillod C, Omer LM (1981). "A controlled trial with diclofensine, a new psychoactive drug, in the treatment of depression". The Journal of International Medical Research. 9 (5): 324–9. doi:10.1177/030006058100900505. PMID7028532. S2CID41618656.
^Omer OL, Díaz-Olivera M, Ismail S (March 1984). "Therapeutic efficacy and tolerance of diclofensine in psychoreactive depression--a double-blind comparison with placebo". Methods and Findings in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology. 6 (3): 147–51. PMID6379345.
^Funke HJ, Holtmann W, Ismail S, Jansen W, Leonhardt KF, Muth H, et al. (May 1986). "Double-blind comparison of diclofensine with nomifensine in outpatients with dysphoric mood". Pharmacopsychiatry. 19 (3): 120–3. doi:10.1055/s-2007-1017168. PMID3725890. S2CID36360683.
^Lamb RJ, Griffiths RR (1990). "Self-administration in baboons and the discriminative stimulus effects in rats of bupropion, nomifensine, diclofensine and imipramine". Psychopharmacology. 102 (2): 183–90. doi:10.1007/bf02245920. PMID2125734. S2CID25043692.
^Nakachi N, Kiuchi Y, Inagaki M, Inazu M, Yamazaki Y, Oguchi K (August 1995). "Effects of various dopamine uptake inhibitors on striatal extracellular dopamine levels and behaviours in rats". European Journal of Pharmacology. 281 (2): 195–203. doi:10.1016/0014-2999(95)00246-h. PMID7589207.
^Rheiner Alfred Jr Dr, CH 538477 (1973 to Hoffmann La Roche).