Tiotixene Explained

Verifiedrevid:470609114
Iupac Name:(9Z)-N,N-dimethyl-9-[3-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)propylidene]-9H-thioxanthene-2-sulfonamide
Width:225px
Usan:Thiothixene
Tradename:Navane
Pregnancy Au:B1
Legal Au:S4
Legal Br:C1
Legal Br Comment:[1]
Legal Status:Rx-only
Routes Of Administration:By mouth
Class:Typical antipsychotic
Bioavailability:~100%
Metabolism:Hepatic
Elimination Half-Life:10–20 hours
Excretion:Gastrointernal tract, faeces
Cas Number:3313-26-6
Atc Prefix:N05
Atc Suffix:AF04
Pubchem:941651
Iuphar Ligand:212
Drugbank:DB01623
Chemspiderid:819430
Unii:7318FJ13YJ
Kegg:D00374
Chembl:1201
C:23
H:29
N:3
O:2
S:2
Smiles:O=S(=O)(N(C)C)c2cc1C(\c3c(Sc1cc2)cccc3)=C/CCN4CCN(C)CC4
Stdinchi:1S/C23H29N3O2S2/c1-24(2)30(27,28)18-10-11-23-21(17-18)19(20-7-4-5-9-22(20)29-23)8-6-12-26-15-13-25(3)14-16-26/h4-5,7-11,17H,6,12-16H2,1-3H3/b19-8-
Stdinchikey:GFBKORZTTCHDGY-UWVJOHFNSA-N

Tiotixene, or thiothixene is a typical antipsychotic agent currently sold under the brand name Navane which is predominantly utilised to treat acute and chronic schizophrenia.[2] Beyond its primary indication, it can exhibit a variety of effects common to neuroleptic drugs including anxiolytic, anti-depressive, and anti-aggressive properties.[3]

The drug was first synthesized and marketed in 1967 under the pharmaceutical company Pfizer.[4] [5] [6] While the usage of the drug has declined in recent decades, the drug continues to be manufactured and prescribed in the US and Canada.

Being a member of the thioxanthene class, it is chemically related to other typical neuroleptic agents such as chlorprothixene, clopenthixol, flupenthixol, and zuclopenthixol. Tiotixene also shares structural similarities with thioproperazine and pipotiazine, which are members of the phenothiazine class.

Medical uses

Tiotixene is a widely used drug for the treatment of various psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, mania, and behavioural disturbances.[7] The drug regulates behaviour and thoughts, and can also exhibit an anti-depressive effect.[8]  

The side effect profile is similar to related antipsychotic agents, displaying weight gain, mental distress, and inability to sit still. Other possible symptoms include anticholinergic side effects such as insomnia, blurred vision, and dry mouth.[9] [10] Less frequently encountered side effects are drug-induced movement disorders such as Parkinson's syndrome and tardive dyskinesia.[11] [12]

The results of various dose-response studies (10–60 mg) indicate a stimulating effect at lower doses, which diminishes as higher doses are administered.[13] Overall, the efficacy of thiothixene when compared to other antipsychotic drugs was evaluated to be at least as effective regardless of the optimum dosage.[14] [15]

Pharmacology

Pharmacokinetics

As common with tricyclic psychotherapeutic agents, tiotixene is rapidly and extensively absorbed.[16] Peak serum concentration of the drug is achieved after 1–3 hours.[17] After absorption, the compound and its metabolites are spread widely throughout the body.  

The drug's metabolism proceeds rapidly and primarily in the liver. Although N-demethyltiotixene was identified as its major metabolite, the metabolic mechanisms remain elusive.[18] After metabolism, most of the material is excreted through the faeces.

Pharmacodynamics

Tiotixene[19]
Site Ki (nM) Species Ref
3,162–3,878 Human [20]
30,200 Human
3,630 Human
410–912 Human [21]
151 Human
659 Human
>10,000 Human
50–89 Human
1,350–1,400 Human
1,860 Human
361 Human
208–320 Human
5-HT7 15.5 Human
α1 19
  α1A 11–12 Human
35 Human
95
80 Human
50 Human
52 Human
>10,000 Human
>10,000 Human
51–339 Human
D2 0.03–1.4 Human [22]
D3 0.3–186 Human
203–363 Human
410–685 Human
261 Human
H1 4.0–12 Human [23]
411 Human
1,336 Guinea pig
>10,000 Human
3,310
≥2,820 Human
≥2,450 Human
≥5,750 Human
>10,000 Human
5,376 Human
1,780
Values are Ki (nM). The smaller the value,
the more strongly the drug binds to the site.

Tiotixene shares its mechanism with related thioxanthenes which are all fundamentally used to control schizophrenia. Their mechanism of action involves the inhibition of different receptors, including 5-HT (serotonin), dopaminergic, histaminergic, and adrenergic receptors.[24] Blocking these receptors results in a reduction of synaptic levels of dopamine, serotonin, and other neurotransmitters that are involved with abnormal excitement in the brain during psychoses.[25] This reduction of abnormal neurotransmission activity tends to alleviate the psychotic indications associated with schizophrenia.[26]

Tiotixene acts primarily as a highly potent antagonist of the dopamine D2 and D3 receptors (subnanomolar affinity). It is also an antagonist of the histamine H1, α1-adrenergic, and serotonin 5-HT7 receptors (low nanomolar affinity), as well as of various other receptors to a much lesser extent (lower affinity). It does not have any anticholinergic activity. Antagonism of the D2 receptor is thought to be responsible for the antipsychotic effects of tiotixene.

Toxicology

Thiothixene has demonstrated toxicity in animal studies and isolated human tissue, displaying cytotoxic effects against various cell types. Observed toxic effects included growth inhibition of mouse fibroblasts, inhibition of protein synthesis by human glioma cells, and inhibition of leukocyte DNA synthesis.[27] [28]

Other compounds within the thioxanthene class have demonstrated hepatotoxicity in rodent experiments, and although anecdotal reports of thiothixene-induced liver failure exist, scientific data regarding the correlation lacks.[29] The absence of observational or longitudinal human studies on thiothixene in published literature precludes drawing conclusions regarding the significance of toxic effects at therapeutic dosages.

Chemistry

Thiothixene is a tricyclic compound consisting of a thioxanthene core with a (4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)propylidene side chain.[30] Several methods for the synthesis of thiothixene are described in literature, which all rely on varying thioxanthone derivatives upon which the (4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)propylidene side chain is constructed.[31]

Wyatt et al. described the synthesis of thiothixene via four different routes, three of which originated from the previous findings from Muren et al. One method described the synthesis of thiothixene by acetylation of 9-lithio-N,N-dimethylthioxanthene-2-sulfonamide. After acetylation, a condensation reaction, and an amine exchange the intermediate ketone was obtained. This intermediate was then converted into E- and Z-thiothixene through reduction with NaBH4, followed by dehydration using POCl3-pyridine.

Another method described by Muren et al. was performed using N,N-dimethylsulfamoyl-Z-thioxanthen-9-one as starting material. The introduction of the piperazinylpropylidene side chain was performed by a Wittig reaction. Following this, the methylation of the piperazinylpropylidene side chain was executed using various alkylating agents, yielding E- and Z-thiothixene.  

The last method described by Wyatt et al, adapted from the study described by Muren and Bloom, used potassium benzenethiolate and 2-bromo-5-dimethylsulfamoylbenzoic acid as starting material. The resulting acid was treated with copper and PPA to form the thioxanthone intermediate. This ketone intermediate was then treated with the addition of the piperazinylpropylidene side chain and the loss of a water molecule to form Z- and E-Thiothixene.  

The fourth method originating from D.C Hobbs involved condensing thiophenol with 2-chloro-5-dimethylsulfamoylbenzoic acid in an alkaline DMF solution at 130-140 °C. After a ring closure reaction with polyphosphoric acid at 70 °C, the ketone intermediate (N,N-dimethylsulfamoyl-Z-thioxanthen-9-one) was obtained. A wittig reaction was employed to connect the intermediate with the piperazinylpropylidene side chain, leading to the formation of both Z- and E-thiothixene isomers.[32]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Anvisa . Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency . 2023-03-31 . RDC Nº 784 - Listas de Substâncias Entorpecentes, Psicotrópicas, Precursoras e Outras sob Controle Especial . Collegiate Board Resolution No. 784 - Lists of Narcotic, Psychotropic, Precursor, and Other Substances under Special Control. live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230803143925/https://www.in.gov.br/en/web/dou/-/resolucao-rdc-n-784-de-31-de-marco-de-2023-474904992 . 2023-08-03 . 2023-08-16 . . pt-BR . 2023-04-04.
  2. Book: Wyatt DK, Grady LT . Thiothixene . 1990-01-01 . Analytical Profiles of Drug Substances . 18 . 527–565 . Florey K, Al-Badr AA, Forcier GA, Brittain HG . Academic Press . 10.1016/s0099-5428(08)60680-2 . 978-0-12-260818-6 .
  3. Mann JJ . 2009-08-03 . Before Prozac: The troubled history of mood disorders in psychiatry . The Journal of Clinical Investigation . en . 119 . 8 . 2117 . 10.1172/JCI40286 . 0021-9738 . 2719946.
  4. Poulsen MØ, Dastidar SG, Roy DS, Palchoudhuri S, Kristiansen JE, Fey SJ . A Double-Edged Sword: Thioxanthenes Act on Both the Mind and the Microbiome . Molecules . 27 . 1 . 196 . December 2021 . 35011432 . 8746497 . 10.3390/molecules27010196 . free .
  5. Book: William Andrew Publishing . Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Encyclopedia . 22 October 2013 . Elsevier . 978-0-8155-1856-3 . 3214–.
  6. Eslami Shahrbabaki M, Dehnavieh R, Vali L, Sharafkhani R . Chlorpromazine versus piperacetazine for schizophrenia . The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews . 10 . 10 . CD011709 . October 2018 . 30378678 . 6483621 . 10.1002/14651858.CD012790 . Cochrane Schizophrenia Group .
  7. Xin C, Lihong W, Qiuyuan L, Hongzhuo L . Injectable long-term control-released in situ gels of hydrochloric thiothixene for the treatment of schizophrenia: preparation, in vitro and in vivo evaluation . International Journal of Pharmaceutics . 469 . 1 . 23–30 . July 2014 . 24751344 . 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2014.04.044 .
  8. Robertson MM, Trimble MR . Major tranquillisers used as antidepressants. A review . Journal of Affective Disorders . 4 . 3 . 173–193 . September 1982 . 6127357 . 10.1016/0165-0327(82)90002-7 .
  9. Browne MW . Experiences with thiothixene . The British Journal of Psychiatry . 114 . 506 . 123 . January 1968 . 5636080 . 10.1192/bjp.114.506.123 .
  10. Sarai K, Okada M . Comparison of efficacy of zotepine and thiothixene in schizophrenia in a double-blind study . Pharmacopsychiatry . 20 . 1 Spec No . 38–46 . February 1987 . 2883680 . 10.1055/s-2007-1017128 . 20384816 .
  11. Overall JE, Hollister LE, Shelton J, Kimbell I, Pennington V . Broad-spectrum screening of psychotherapeutic drugs: thiothixene as an antipsychotic and antidepressant . Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics . 10 . 1 . 36–43 . January 1969 . 4884295 . 10.1002/cpt196910136 . 23287102 .
  12. Yesavage JA, Tanke ED, Sheikh JI . Tardive dyskinesia and steady-state serum levels of thiothixene . Archives of General Psychiatry . 44 . 10 . 913–915 . October 1987 . 2889439 . 10.1001/archpsyc.1987.01800220085012 .
  13. Gardos G, Cole JO . The dual action of thiothixene . Archives of General Psychiatry . 29 . 2 . 222–225 . August 1973 . 4741513 . 10.1001/archpsyc.1973.04200020056007 .
  14. Gallant DM, Bishop MP, Shelton W . A preliminary evaluation of P-4657B: a thioxanthene derivative . The American Journal of Psychiatry . 123 . 3 . 345–346 . September 1966 . 5921658 . 10.1176/ajp.123.3.345 .
  15. Bishop MP, Fulmer TE, Gallant DM . Thiothixene versus trifluoperazine in newly-admitted schizophrenic patients . Current Therapeutic Research, Clinical and Experimental . 8 . 11 . 509–514 . November 1966 . 4962777 .
  16. Hobbs DC . Metabolism of thiothixene . Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences . 57 . 1 . 105–111 . January 1968 . 5652108 . 10.1002/jps.2600570121 .
  17. Hobbs DC, Welch WM, Short MJ, Moody WA, Van der Velde CD . Pharmacokinetics of thiothixene in man . Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics . 16 . 3 . 473–478 . September 1974 . 4415039 . 10.1002/cpt1974163part1473 . 42200908 .
  18. Guthrie SK, Hariharan M, Kumar AA, Bader G, Tandon R . The effect of paroxetine on thiothixene pharmacokinetics . Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics . 22 . 3 . 221–226 . June 1997 . 9447478 . 10.1046/j.1365-2710.1997.95175951.x . 2027.42/72596 . free .
  19. Web site: PDSP Ki Database . Psychoactive Drug Screening Program (PDSP). Bryan Roth . Roth BL, Driscol J . University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the United States National Institute of Mental Health . 14 August 2017 .
  20. Silvestre JS, Prous J . Research on adverse drug events. I. Muscarinic M3 receptor binding affinity could predict the risk of antipsychotics to induce type 2 diabetes . Methods and Findings in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology . 27 . 5 . 289–304 . June 2005 . 16082416 . 10.1358/mf.2005.27.5.908643 .
  21. Kroeze WK, Hufeisen SJ, Popadak BA, Renock SM, Steinberg S, Ernsberger P, Jayathilake K, Meltzer HY, Roth BL . H1-histamine receptor affinity predicts short-term weight gain for typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs . Neuropsychopharmacology . 28 . 3 . 519–526 . March 2003 . 12629531 . 10.1038/sj.npp.1300027 . free .
  22. Burstein ES, Ma J, Wong S, Gao Y, Pham E, Knapp AE, Nash NR, Olsson R, Davis RE, Hacksell U, Weiner DM, Brann MR . Intrinsic efficacy of antipsychotics at human D2, D3, and D4 dopamine receptors: identification of the clozapine metabolite N-desmethylclozapine as a D2/D3 partial agonist . The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics . 315 . 3 . 1278–1287 . December 2005 . 16135699 . 10.1124/jpet.105.092155 . 2247093 .
  23. Kanba S, Richelson E . Histamine H1 receptors in human brain labelled with [3H]doxepin . Brain Research . 304 . 1 . 1–7 . June 1984 . 6146381 . 10.1016/0006-8993(84)90856-4 . 45303586 .
  24. Gao S, Han L, Luo D, Xiao Z, Liu G, Zhang Y, Zhou W . Deep learning applications for the accurate identification of low-transcriptional activity drugs and their mechanism of actions . Pharmacological Research . 180 . 106225 . June 2022 . 35452801 . 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106225 . 248309731 .
  25. Bangwal R, Bisht S, Saklani S, Garg S, Dhayani M . January 2020 . Psychotic Disorders, Definition, Sign and Symptoms, Antipsychotic Drugs, Mechanism of Action, Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics with Side Effects & Adverse Drug Reactions: Updated Systematic Review Article . Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics . 10 . 1 . 163–172 . 10.22270/jddt.v10i1.3865 . 2250-1177.
  26. Patel KR, Cherian J, Gohil K, Atkinson D . Schizophrenia: overview and treatment options . P & T . 39 . 9 . 638–645 . September 2014 . 25210417 . 4159061 .
  27. ((J. B. Roerig Division)) . March 1968 . Thiothixene (Navane) . Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics . en . 9 . 2 . 282–284 . 10.1002/cpt196892282 . 209106681 . 0009-9236.
  28. Munyon WH, Salo R, Briones DF . Cytotoxic effects of neuroleptic drugs . Psychopharmacology . 91 . 2 . 182–188 . February 1987 . 2883697 . 10.1007/BF00217059 . 20832854 .
  29. Abernathy CO, Zimmerman HJ . The toxicity of thioxanthene neuroleptics to isolated rat liver cells . Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine . 150 . 2 . 385–389 . November 1975 . 1208553 . 10.3181/00379727-150-39041 . 21403569 .
  30. Noori Tahneh A, Bagheri Novir S, Balali E . Density functional theory study of structural and electronic properties of trans and cis structures of thiothixene as a nano-drug . Journal of Molecular Modeling . 23 . 12 . 356 . November 2017 . 29177682 . 10.1007/s00894-017-3522-6 . 27183246 .
  31. Muren JF, Bloom BM . Thioxanthene psychopharmacological agents. II. 9-(3-aminopropylidene)-N,N-dimethylthioxanthene-2-sulfonamides . Journal of Medicinal Chemistry . 13 . 1 . 17–23 . January 1970 . 5412109 . 10.1021/jm00295a005 .
  32. Rani A, Aslam M, Pandey G, Pant BN . May 2023 . A review on synthesis of FDA-approved antipsychotic drugs . Tetrahedron . 138 . 133430 . 10.1016/j.tet.2023.133430 . 258316664 . 0040-4020.