NU-1223, a simplified analog of alstonine, with 5-HT_2cR agonist-like activity, rescues memory deficit and positive and negative symptoms in subchronic phencyclidine mouse model of schizophrenia

The serotonin (5-HT)_{2 C} receptor(R) is a widely distributed G-protein-coupled receptor, expressed abundantly in the central nervous system. Alstonine is a natural product that has significant properties of atypical antipsychotic drugs (AAPDs), in part attributed to 5-HT_{2 C}R agonism. Based on alstonine, we developed NU-1223, a simplified β carboline analog of alstonine, which shows efficacies comparable to alstonine and to other 5-HT_{2 C}R agonists, Ro-60–0175 and lorcaserin. The 5-HT_{2 C}R antagonism of some APDs, including olanzapine, contributes to weight gain, a major side effect which limits its tolerability, while the 5-HT_{2 C}R agonists and/or modulators, may minimize weight gain. We used the well-established rodent subchronic phencyclidine (PCP) model to test the efficacy of NU-1223 on episodic memory, using novel object recognition (NOR) task, positive (locomotor activity), and negative symptoms (social interaction) of schizophrenia (SCH). We found that NU-1223 produced both transient and prolonged rescue of the subchronic PCP-induced deficits in NOR and SI. Further, NU-1223, but not Ro-60–0175, blocked PCP and amphetamine (AMPH)-induced increase in LMA in subchronic PCP mice. These transient efficacies in LMA were blocked by the 5-HT_{2 C}R antagonist, SB242084. Sub-chronic NU-1223 treatment rescued NOR and SI deficits in subchronic PCP mice for at least 39 days after 3 days injection. Chronic treatment with NU-1223, ip, twice a day for 21 days, did not increase average body weight vs olanzapine. These findings clearly indicate NU-1223 as a class of small molecules with a possible 5-HT_{2 C}R-agonist-like mechanism of action, attributing to its efficacy. Additional in-depth receptor mechanistic studies are warranted, as this small molecule, both transiently and chronically rescued PCP-induced deficits. Furthermore, NU-1223 did not induce weight gain post long-term administrations vs AAPDs such as olanzapine, making NU-1223 a putative therapeutic compound for SCH.