Influence of the side chain next to C-terminal benzimidazole in opioid pseudopeptides containing the Dmt-Tic pharmacophore.

ABSTRACT

To improve the structure-activity studies of the lead delta opioid agonist H-Dmt-Tic-Asp*-Bid, we synthesized and pharmacologically characterized a series of analogues in which the side chain next to 1H-benzimidazole-2-yl (Bid) was substituted by those endowed with different chemical properties. Interesting results were obtained (1) only Gly, Ala, and Asp resulted in delta agonism, (2) Phe yielded delta antagonism, (3) and all other residues except Glu (devoid of any activity) gave mu agonism.