A series of l-arylspiro [indoline-3, 4'-piperidine] s was synthesized and evaluated for potential antidepressant activity by tetrabenazine (TBZ) ptosis prevention and potentiation of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) induced head twitching in pargyline-pretreated rats. Marked TBZ activity was observed with analogues bearing an ortho substituent on the pendant aromatic ring, as exemplified by lead compound 25a, l-(2-chlorophenyl) spiro [indoline-3, ...
