An in vivo pharmacological evaluation of pardoprunox (SLV308)--a novel combined dopamine D(2)/D(3) receptor partial agonist and 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist with efficacy in experimental models of Parkinson's disease

Partial D(2/3) dopamine (DA) receptor agonists provide a novel approach to the treatment of the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) that may avoid common dopaminergic side-effects, including dyskinesia and psychosis. The present study focussed on the in vivo pharmacological and therapeutic characterisation of the novel D(2/3) receptor partial agonist and full 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist pardoprunox (SLV308; 7-[4-methyl-1-piperazinyl]-2(3H)-benzoxazolone monochloride). Pardoprunox induced contralateral turning behaviour in rats with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine-induced lesions of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) (MED=0.03mg/kg; po). In 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated common marmosets, pardoprunox dose-dependently increased locomotor activity (MED=0.03mg/kg; po) and decreased motor disability (MED=0.03mg/kg; po). The effects of pardoprunox were reversed by the D(2) antagonist sulpiride. In contrast pardoprunox attenuated novelty-induced locomotor activity (MED=0.01mg/kg; po), (+)-amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion (MED=0.3mg/kg; po) and apomorphine-induced climbing (MED=0.6mg/kg; po) in rodents. Pardoprunox also induced 5-HT(1A) receptor-mediated behaviours, including flat body posture and lower lip retraction (MED=0.3mg/kg; po) and these were reversed by the 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist WAY100635. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that pardoprunox possesses dopamine D2/3 partial agonist effects, 5-HT1A agonist effects and reduces parkinsonism in animal models. functional DA D(2) receptor partial agonist activity and is effective in experimental models predictive of efficacy in PD. The presence of functional 5-HT(1A) agonist activity might confer anti-dyskinetic activity and have effects that control neuropsychiatric components of PD.