Novel aryl piperazines for alleviation of 'andropause' associated prostatic disorders and depression

A series of seventeen piperazine derivatives have been synthesized and biologically evaluated for the management of andropause-associated prostatic disorders and depression. Five compounds 16, 19, 20, 21 and 22 significantly inhibited proliferation of androgen-sensitive LNCaP prostatic cell line with EC₅₀ values of 12.4 μM, 15.6 μM, 11.8 μM, 10.4 μM, 12.2 μM respectively and decreased Ca²⁺ entry through adrenergic-receptor α_1A blocking activity. Anti-androgenic behaviour of compound 19 and 22 was evident by decreased luciferase activity. The high EC₅₀ value in AR-negative cells PC3 and DU145 suggested that the cytotoxicity of compounds was due to AR down regulation. Compound 19 reduced the prostate weight of rats by 53.8%. Further, forced-swimming and tail-suspension tests revealed antidepressant-like activity of compound 19, lacking effects on neuromuscular co-ordination. In silico ADMET predictions revealed that the compound 19 had good oral absorption, aqueous solubility, non-hepatotoxic and good affinity for plasma protein binding. Pharmacokinetic and tissue uptake of 19 at 10 mg/kg demonstrated an oral bioavailability of 35.4%. In silico docking studies predicted similar binding pattern of compound 19 on androgen receptor as hydroxyflutamide. Compound 19 appears to be a unique scaffold with promising activities against androgen associated prostatic disorders in males like prostate cancer and BPH and associated depression.