Arylpiperazinyl-cyclohexyl indole derivatives for the treatment of depression

A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of the formula:

• wherein:
• R1, R2 and R3 are each, independently, hydrogen, halogen, CF3, alkyl, alkoxy, MeSO2, or any two of R1, R2 and R3 taken together with the ortho and meta carbon atoms of the ring to which they are attached can form a 5-7 membered carbocyclic or a 5-6 membered heterocyclic ring which includes up to two non-carbon ring atoms each of which independently is either N or O;
• R4 is hydrogen, halogen, or alkyl;
• R5 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkylaryl, or aryl;
• and
• R6 is hydrogen, halogen, CF3, CN, carbamido, or alkoxy;
• X1, X2 and X3 are each carbon or one of X1, or X2 may be nitrogen;
• Y is nitrogen;
• and
• Z is carbon or nitrogen;
• with the proviso that if one of X1 or X2 is N then at least one of R1, R2 and R3 is not H;
• or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

A method for treating depression in a patient in need thereof comprising administering to said patient an antidepressant effective amount of a compound of the formula:

• wherein:
• R1, R2 and R3 are each, independently, hydrogen, halogen, CF3, alkyl, alkoxy, MeSO2, or any two of R1, R2 and R3 taken together with the ortho and meta carbon atoms of the ring to which they are attached can form a 5-7 membered carbocyclic or a 5-6 membered heterocyclic ring which includes up to two non-carbon ring atoms each of which independently is either N or O,
• R4 is hydrogen, halogen, or alkyl;
• R5 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkylaryl, or aryl;
• and
• R6 is hydrogen, halogen, CF3, CN, carbamido, or alkoxy;
• X1, X2 and X3 are each carbon or one of X1, or X2 may be nitrogen;
• Y is nitrogen;
• and
• Z is carbon or nitrogen;
• with the proviso that if one of X1 or X2 is N then at least one of R1, R2 and R3 is not H;
• or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.