SYNTHESIS OF NEW SEROTONERGIC 2-SUBSTITUTED 4,6-DIARYL PYRIDAZIN-3-ONES

A series of 4,6-diaryl pyridazin-3-ones substituted in the 2-position by [4-(4-aryl piperazin-1-yl]-but-2-ynyl moieties was synthesized and evaluated for antidepressant activity. The structures of these new pyr idazine derivatives were confirmed by IR, H-1-NMR spectra and by eleme ntary analysis. At 150 mg/kg i.p., they induced little or no reduction of the duration of immobility of mice in the forced swimming test. He ad twitches produced by L-5-hydroxytryptophan in mice pretreated with pargyline were significantly potentiated by most of the tested compoun ds. In addition, pyridazine derivatives did not antagonize reserpine-i nduced palpebral ptosis or enhance the toxic effects of yohimbine and were almost devoid of anticholinergic properties in mice.