Two novel sigma receptor ligands, BD1047 and LR172, attenuate cocaine-induced toxicity and locomotor activity.

The ability of cocaine to interact with sigma receptors indicates that these sites may mediate the negative properties associated with cocaine use, such as toxicity and addiction. Previous studies have shown that the novel sigma receptor ligand, BD1008 (N-[2-(3,4-dicholophenyl)ethyl]-N-methyl-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)ethylam ine), effectively protects against cocaine-induced convulsions and locomotor activity in mice. Therefore, BD1047 ([2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-N-methyl-2-(diamino)ethylamine) and LR172 (N-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-N-methyl-2-(1-homopiperidinyl)eth ylamine), two analogs of BD1008, were tested to determine if they also have anti-cocaine properties. Receptor binding assays showed that BD1047 and LR172 both have high affinities for a receptors, but low to negligible affinities for dopamine, opioid, phencyclidine, and 5-HT2 sites. In behavioral studies, pretreatment of mice with BD1047 or LR172 reduced the convulsions, lethality, and locomotor activity produced by cocaine. The data indicates a possible role for sigma receptor ligands in the treatment of cocaine overdose and addiction.