Study on synthesis and biological effects of a series of 3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2(1H)-carboxamide derivatives

In this paper, we have reported the synthesis and biological evaluation of nineteen (S)-N-substituted-1-phenyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2(1H)-carboxamide derivatives as novel candidate antidepressant and anticonvulsant agents. Compounds 2h, 2k, 2r, and 2s exhibited better potent antidepressant activity and displayed the antidepressant effects in a dose-dependent manner from 10 to 30mg/kg in the FST and TST. And, we found that the best antidepressant effect of compounds 2r and 2s are likely mediated by an increase in central nervous system 5-HT and NE. In addition, compounds 2r and 2s also exhibited the anticonvulsant activity against MES-induced seizures. Thus, compounds 2r and 2s may be a useful antidepressant adjunct therapy for treating depression in patients with epilepsy. In addition, compounds 2r and 2s showed the anti-inflammatory activity and the excellent analgesic activity. Several scholars have postulated the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of antidepressant drugs, suggesting that they may be possess a similar mechanism of action.