Isolation and Synthesis of Veranamine, an Antidepressant Lead from the Marine Sponge .

The natural product veranamine was isolated from the marine sponge . It contains a unique heterocyclic scaffold and demonstrates in vivo antidepressant activity and selective affinity for 5HT2B and sigma-1 receptors. The first total synthesis of veranamine is reported.

Marine Inspired 2-(5-Halo-1H-indol-3-yl)-N,N-dimethylethanamines as Modulators of Serotonin Receptors: An Example Illustrating the Power of Bromine as Part of the Uniquely Marine Chemical Space.

In previous studies, we have isolated several marine indole alkaloids and evaluated them in the forced swim test (FST) and locomotor activity test, revealing their potential as antidepressant and sedative drug leads. Amongst the reported metabolites to display such activities was 5-bromo-,-dimethyltryptamine. Owing to the importance of the judicious introduction of halogens into drug candidates, we synthesized two series built on a 2-(1-indol-3-yl)-,-dimethylethanamine scaffold with different halogen substitutions.

Pharmaceutical Compounding: The Oldest, Most Symbolic, and Still Vital Part of Pharmacy.

Historically, compounding has been always an integral part of pharmacy. Medications were prepared by pharmacists for individual patients and compounding was the only source of drugs before mass production by pharmaceutical companies. This trend started diminishing around the middle of the 20th century due to more drugs being produced by mass manufacturers.