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Trade names | Sidnocarb, Sydnocarb, Synocarb |
Other names | Fensidnimine; Pharmaneocarb; Sydnocarbum; MLR-1017; N-Phenylcarbamoyl-3-(β-phenylisopropyl)sydnonimine; 3-(β-Phenylisopropyl)-N-phenylcarbamoylsydnonimine |
Routes of administration | Oral |
Drug class | Atypical dopamine reuptake inhibitor |
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Metabolism | Hepatic |
Excretion | Renal |
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Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C18H18N4O2 |
Molar mass | 322.368 g·mol−1 |
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Mesocarb, sold under the brand name Sidnocarb or Sydnocarb and known by the developmental code name MLR-1017, is a psychostimulant medication which has been used in the treatment of psychiatric disorders and for a number of other indications in the Soviet Union and Russia. [2] [3] [4] [5] It is currently under development for the treatment of Parkinson's disease and sleep disorders. [6] [7] It is taken by mouth.
The drug is a selective dopamine reuptake inhibitor (DRI). [8] [9] [10] [11] It is an unusual and unique DRI, acting as a negative allosteric modulator and non-competitive inhibitor of the dopamine transporter (DAT). [8] [9] [10] Chemically, mesocarb contains amphetamine within its structure but has been modified and extended at the amine with a sydnone imine-containing moiety. [12] [2] [3]
Mesocarb was first described by 1971. [2] [13] [14] [11] It was used as a pharmaceutical drug until 2008. [15] In 2021, its nature as a DAT allosteric modulator was reported. [8] [9] [10] As of February 2023, mesocarb was in phase 1 clinical trials for Parkinson's disease. [7] The active enantiomer, armesocarb, is also being developed. [16]
Mesocarb was originally developed in the Soviet Union in the 1970s [17] [18] for a variety of indications including asthenia, apathy, adynamia, and some clinical aspects of depression and schizophrenia. [19] [20] Mesocarb was used for counteracting the sedative effects of benzodiazepines, [21] increasing workload capacity and cardiovascular function, [22] treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, [23] [24] as a nootropic, [25] and as a drug to enhance resistance to extremely cold temperatures. [26] [27] It has also been reported to have antidepressant and anticonvulsant properties. [28]
Mesocarb was sold in Russia as 5 mg oral tablets under the brand name Sydnocarb.[ citation needed ]
Mesocarb has been found to act as a selective dopamine reuptake inhibitor (DRI) by blocking the actions of the dopamine transporter (DAT), [11] [29] and lacks the dopamine release characteristic of stimulants such as dextroamphetamine. [30] [31] [32] It was the most selective DAT inhibitor amongst an array of other DAT inhibitors to which it was compared and, in 2017, was reported as the most selective DAT inhibitor described to date. [29] [5]
The affinities (Ki) of mesocarb at the human monoamine transporters in vitro have been reported to be 8.3 nM for the dopamine transporter (DAT), 1,500 nM for the norepinephrine transporter (NET) (181-fold lower than for the DAT), and >10,000 nM for the serotonin transporter (SERT) (>1,205-fold lower than for the DAT). [5] The inhibitory potencies (IC50 ) of mesocarb at the human monoamine transporters in vitro have been reported to be 0.49 ± 0.14 μM at the DAT, 34.9 ± 14.08 μM at the NET (71-fold lower than for the DAT), and 494.9 ± 17.00 μM at the SERT (1,010-fold lower than for the DAT). [10]
In 2021, it was discovered that mesocarb is not a conventional DRI but acts as a DAT allosteric modulator or non-competitive inhibitor. [8] [9] [10] In accordance with its nature as an atypical DAT blocker, the drug has atypical effects relative to conventional DRIs. [8] [9] [10] [5] As an example, it shows greater antiparkinsonian activity relative to other DRIs in animals. [5]
Similarly to other DRIs, mesocarb has been found to possess wakefulness-promoting effects. [5]
Hydroxylated metabolites can be detected in urine for up to 10 days after consumption. [33]
Mesocarb had erroneously been referred to as a prodrug of amphetamine. [34] However, this was based on older literature that relied on gas chromatography as an analytical method. Subsequently, with the advent of mass spectroscopy, it has been shown that presence of amphetamine in prior studies was an artifact of the gas chromatography method. [35] More recent studies using mass spectroscopy show that negligible levels of amphetamine are released from mesocarb metabolism. [33]
Mesocarb, also known as 3-(β-phenylisopropyl)-N-phenylcarbamoylsydnonimine, is a substituted phenethylamine and amphetamine and a mesoionic sydnone imine. [12] [2] [3] It has the amphetamine backbone present, except that the RN has a complicated imine side chain present. [12] [2] [3]
Whereas mesocarb (MLR-1017) is a racemic mixture, the enantiopure levorotatory or (R)-enantiomer is known as armesocarb (MLR-1019). [15] Armesocarb is described as the active enantiomer of mesocarb, whereas the (S)- or D-enantiomer is said to be virtually inactive. [5] [15] [36]
It is structurally related to feprosidnine (Sydnophen; 3-(α-methylphenylethyl)sydnone imine). [28]
Feprosidnine (Sydnophen) is converted from the hydrochloride salt (1) into the freebase amine (2). This is then treated with phenylisocyanate (3).
Mesocarb was first described in the scientific literature by 1971. [2] [13] [14] [11] It is said to have been used as a pharmaceutical drug from 1971 until 2008. [15] It was said to have been discontinued by its manufacturer in 2008 for business reasons unrelated to the drug itself. [15]
Mesocarb is the generic name of the drug and its INN . [12] It is also known by the synonym fensidnimine as well as by the brand names Sydnocarb and Synocarb. [2] [3] [12] [38] The drug is additionally known by its developmental code name MLR-1017 (for Parkinson's disease). [7]
Mesocarb is almost unknown in the western world and is neither used in medicine nor studied scientifically to any great extent outside of Russia and other countries in the former Soviet Union. It has however been added to the list of drugs under international control and is a scheduled substance in most countries, despite its multiple therapeutic applications and reported lack of significant abuse potential. [39]
Mesocarb, has been under development for the treatment of Parkinson's disease since 2016. [6] [7] As of February 2023, it is in phase 1 clinical trials for this indication. [7] However, no recent development has been reported. [7] Mesocarb's active enantiomer armesocarb is also under development. [16]
Amphetamine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that is used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, and obesity; it is also used to treat binge eating disorder in the form of its inactive prodrug lisdexamfetamine. Amphetamine was discovered as a chemical in 1887 by Lazăr Edeleanu, and then as a drug in the late 1920s. It exists as two enantiomers: levoamphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Amphetamine properly refers to a specific chemical, the racemic free base, which is equal parts of the two enantiomers in their pure amine forms. The term is frequently used informally to refer to any combination of the enantiomers, or to either of them alone. Historically, it has been used to treat nasal congestion and depression. Amphetamine is also used as an athletic performance enhancer and cognitive enhancer, and recreationally as an aphrodisiac and euphoriant. It is a prescription drug in many countries, and unauthorized possession and distribution of amphetamine are often tightly controlled due to the significant health risks associated with recreational use.
Monoamine transporters (MATs) are proteins that function as integral plasma-membrane transporters to regulate concentrations of extracellular monoamine neurotransmitters. The three major classes are serotonin transporters (SERTs), dopamine transporters (DATs), and norepinephrine transporters (NETs) and are responsible for the reuptake of their associated amine neurotransmitters. MATs are located just outside the synaptic cleft (peri-synaptically), transporting monoamine transmitter overflow from the synaptic cleft back to the cytoplasm of the pre-synaptic neuron. MAT regulation generally occurs through protein phosphorylation and post-translational modification. Due to their significance in neuronal signaling, MATs are commonly associated with drugs used to treat mental disorders as well as recreational drugs. Compounds targeting MATs range from medications such as the wide variety of tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as fluoxetine (Prozac) to stimulant medications such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamine in its many forms and derivatives methamphetamine (Desoxyn) and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Furthermore, drugs such as MDMA and natural alkaloids such as cocaine exert their effects in part by their interaction with MATs, by blocking the transporters from mopping up dopamine, serotonin, and other neurotransmitters from the synapse.
A dopamine reuptake inhibitor (DRI) is a class of drug which acts as a reuptake inhibitor of the monoamine neurotransmitter dopamine by blocking the action of the dopamine transporter (DAT). Reuptake inhibition is achieved when extracellular dopamine not absorbed by the postsynaptic neuron is blocked from re-entering the presynaptic neuron. This results in increased extracellular concentrations of dopamine and increase in dopaminergic neurotransmission.
A norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor or noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor or adrenergic reuptake inhibitor (ARI), is a type of drug that acts as a reuptake inhibitor for the neurotransmitters norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and epinephrine (adrenaline) by blocking the action of the norepinephrine transporter (NET). This in turn leads to increased extracellular concentrations of norepinephrine and epinephrine and therefore can increase adrenergic neurotransmission.
The dopamine transporter is a membrane-spanning protein coded for in humans by the SLC6A3 gene, that pumps the neurotransmitter dopamine out of the synaptic cleft back into cytosol. In the cytosol, other transporters sequester the dopamine into vesicles for storage and later release. Dopamine reuptake via DAT provides the primary mechanism through which dopamine is cleared from synapses, although there may be an exception in the prefrontal cortex, where evidence points to a possibly larger role of the norepinephrine transporter.
Phenylpiracetam, also known as fonturacetam and sold under the brand names Phenotropil, Actitropil, and Carphedon among others, is a stimulant and nootropic medication used in Russia and certain other Eastern European countries in the treatment of cerebrovascular deficiency, depression, apathy, and attention, and memory problems, among other indications. It is also used in Russian cosmonauts to improve physical, mental, and cognitive abilities. The drug is taken by mouth.
Dopaminergic means "related to dopamine", a common neurotransmitter. Dopaminergic substances or actions increase dopamine-related activity in the brain.
Feprosidnine, sold under the brand name Sydnophen, is a stimulant drug which was developed in the USSR in the 1970s. It is structurally related to another Russian drug mesocarb but unlike mesocarb, was withdrawn earlier from production. In comparison with mesocarb it has own antidepressant activity, which makes it useful in treating depressions. Indications of feprosidnine included apathic, asthenic depressions, fatigue, apathic syndrome, narcolepsy and other similar conditions. Therapeutic range of doses: 10-50mg a day. Sydnophen has multiple mechanisms of action, the relative importance of which has not been clearly established. Effects on the body include reversible monoamine oxidase inhibition, cholinergic, adrenergic, opioid and nitric oxide donating actions, all of which may contribute to its pharmacological effects to some extent.
Reuptake inhibitors (RIs) are a type of reuptake modulators. It is a drug that inhibits the plasmalemmal transporter-mediated reuptake of a neurotransmitter from the synapse into the pre-synaptic neuron. This leads to an increase in extracellular concentrations of the neurotransmitter and an increase in neurotransmission. Various drugs exert their psychological and physiological effects through reuptake inhibition, including many antidepressants and psychostimulants.
Levoamphetamine is a stimulant medication which is used in the treatment of certain medical conditions. It was previously marketed by itself under the brand name Cydril, but is now available only in combination with dextroamphetamine in varying ratios under brand names like Adderall and Evekeo. The drug is known to increase wakefulness and concentration in association with decreased appetite and fatigue. Pharmaceuticals that contain levoamphetamine are currently indicated and prescribed for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obesity, and narcolepsy in some countries. Levoamphetamine is taken by mouth.
A monoamine releasing agent (MRA), or simply monoamine releaser, is a drug that induces the release of one or more monoamine neurotransmitters from the presynaptic neuron into the synapse, leading to an increase in the extracellular concentrations of the neurotransmitters and hence enhanced signaling by those neurotransmitters. The monoamine neurotransmitters include serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine; monoamine releasing agents can induce the release of one or more of these neurotransmitters.
A dopamine releasing agent (DRA) is a type of drug which induces the release of dopamine in the body and/or brain.
A eugeroic, or eugregoric, also known as a vigilance-promoting agent, is a type of drug that increases vigilance. The term has been used inconsistently and in multiple ways in the scientific literature, either to refer specifically to modafinil-type wakefulness-promoting agents or to refer to wakefulness-promoting agents generally. It was first introduced in the French literature in 1987 as a descriptor for modafinil-like wakefulness-promoting drugs and for purposes of distinguishing such drugs from psychostimulants. However, the term "eugeroic" has not been widely adopted in the literature, and instead the term "wakefulness-promoting agent" has been more widely used, both for modafinil-type drugs and other agents.
A norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI) is a drug used for the treatment of clinical depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, and the management of Parkinson's disease. The drug acts as a reuptake inhibitor for the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine by blocking the action of the norepinephrine transporter (NET) and the dopamine transporter (DAT), respectively. This in turn leads to increased extracellular concentrations of both norepinephrine and dopamine and, therefore, an increase in adrenergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission.
3-Fluoroamphetamine is a stimulant drug from the amphetamine family which acts as a monoamine releaser with similar potency to methamphetamine but more selectivity for dopamine and norepinephrine release over serotonin. It is self-administered by mice to a similar extent to related drugs such as 4-fluoroamphetamine and 3-methylamphetamine.
SoRI-20041 is an "antagonist-like" allosteric modulator of amphetamine-induced dopamine release. SoRI-20041 is believed to be the first example of a drug that separately modulates uptake versus release in the dopamine transporter ; it produces the same effects as SoRI-20040 and SoRI-9804 in uptake assays and binding assays, inhibiting the re-uptake of dopamine, but does not modulate d-amphetamine-induced DA release by inhibiting that as well, like 'agonists' of the series do.
A monoamine reuptake inhibitor (MRI) is a drug that acts as a reuptake inhibitor of one or more of the three major monoamine neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine by blocking the action of one or more of the respective monoamine transporters (MATs), which include the serotonin transporter (SERT), norepinephrine transporter (NET), and dopamine transporter (DAT). This in turn results in an increase in the synaptic concentrations of one or more of these neurotransmitters and therefore an increase in monoaminergic neurotransmission.
(R)-1-Aminoindan ((R)-1-AI; developmental code name TVP-136 or TV-136), or (R)-1-aminoindane, is the major metabolite of the selective MAO-B inhibitor and antiparkinsonian agent rasagiline ((R)-N-propargyl-1-aminoindan). In contrast to rasagiline, it lacks significant monoamine oxidase inhibition. In addition, unlike selegiline and its amphetamine metabolites, it lacks monoamine reuptake-inhibiting and -releasing activities and associated amphetamine-like psychostimulant effects. However, (R)-1-aminoindan retains neuroprotective effects and certain other activities.
CE-158 is an atypical dopamine reuptake inhibitor (DRI) that was derived from modafinil. It is often but not always referred to as the enantiopure enantiomer (S,S)-CE-158 instead.
Armesocarb (developmental code name MLR-1019), also known as (R)-mesocarb or L-mesocarb, is a selective atypical dopamine reuptake inhibitor (DRI). It is currently under development for the treatment of Parkinson's disease and sleep disorders.
MLR-1017 (mesocarb, sydnocarb, sidnocarb, Melior Pharmaceuticals, Exton, PA) (Fig. 4) is a dopamine transporter inhibitor for the potential treatment of ADHD and levodopa-induced side effects in PD. The drug was previously launched in Russia [271, 272] (Thomson Reuters Pharma, update of April 12, 2012).
Armesocarb is the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) of the racemic mixture mesocarb, a highly selective dopamine reuptake inhibitor first approved in the former Soviet Union in 1971 and marketed for select psychiatric and central nervous system (CNS) indications until 2008. At that time, which coincided with the Great Recession, the Russian manufacturer discontinued operations for business reasons unrelated to the compound itself.
Mesocarb (sydnocarb) (13) and Feprosidnine (sydnofen) (14) are stimulants developed in Russia in the 1970s. Mesocarb is sold as a drug in Russia. However, it is almost unknown in Western countries and is not used in medicine. It has been shown to act as a dopamine reuptake inhibitor, antidepressant, and anticonvulsant [7, 8].