Structurally novel histamine H3 receptor antagonists GSK207040 and GSK334429 improve scopolamine-induced memory impairment and capsaicin-induced secondary allodynia in rats

Abstract GSK207040 (5-[(3-cyclobutyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1 H -3-benzazepin-7-yl)oxy]- N -methyl-2-pyrazinecarboxamide) and GSK334429 (1-(1-methylethyl)-4-({1-[6-(trifluoromethyl)-3-pyridinyl]-4-piperidinyl}carbonyl)hexahydro-1 H -1,4-diazepine) are novel and selective non-imidazole histamine H 3 receptor antagonists from distinct chemical series with high affinity for human (p K i  = 9.67 ± 0.06 and 9.49 ± 0.09, respectively) and rat (p K i  = 9.08 ± 0.16 and 9.12 ± 0.14, respectively) H 3 receptors expressed in cerebral cortex. At the human recombinant H 3 receptor, GSK207040 and GSK334429 were potent functional antagonists (pA 2  = 9.26 ± 0.04 and 8.84 ± 0.04, respectively versus H 3 agonist-induced changes in cAMP) and exhibited inverse agonist properties (pIC 50  = 9.20 ± 0.36 and 8.59 ± 0.04 versus basal GTPγS binding). Following oral administration, GSK207040 and GSK334429 potently inhibited cortical ex vivo [ 3 H]- R -α-methylhistamine binding (ED 50  = 0.03 and 0.35 mg/kg, respectively). Functional antagonism of central H 3 receptors was demonstrated by blockade of R -α-methylhistamine-induced dipsogenia in rats (ID 50  = 0.02 and 0.11 mg/kg p.o. for GSK207040 and GSK334429, respectively). In more pathophysiologically relevant pharmacodynamic models, GSK207040 (0.1, 0.3, 1 and 3 mg/kg p.o.) and GSK334429 (0.3, 1 and 3 mg/kg p.o.) significantly reversed amnesia induced by the cholinergic antagonist scopolamine in a passive avoidance paradigm. In addition, GSK207040 (0.1, 0.3 and 1 mg/kg p.o.) and GSK334429 (3 and 10 mg/kg p.o.) significantly reversed capsaicin-induced reductions in paw withdrawal threshold, suggesting for the first time that blockade of H 3 receptors may be able to reduce tactile allodynia. Novel H 3 receptor antagonists such as GSK207040 and GSK334429 may therefore have therapeutic potential not only in dementia but also in neuropathic pain.