Conformation of 2,9-dimethyl-3'-hydroxy-5-phenyl-6,7-genzomorphan and its relation to other analgetics and enkephalin.

X-ray crystallographic data for 2,9-dimethyl-3'-hydroxy-5-phenyl-6,7-benzomorphan (I) as its p-bromobenzoyl ester are presented. The structure of I is compared with that of morphine, meperidine, alpha-allylprodine, methadone, and moramide as well as with a proposed structure of the enkephalins. A quantitative relationship is found between in vitro opiate receptor binding potency and in vivo analgesia for analgesics of diverse structure, including I. A new view of the analgetic pharmacophore is presented. Programs for the TI Programmable 59 calculator are described for conversion of X-ray crystallographic data to rectangular coordinates with reorientation of the molecule and for the calculation of torsion angles.

Thromboxane receptor antagonism combined with thromboxane synthase inhibition. 1. (+/-)-(3-pyridinylbicycloheptyl)alkanoic acids.

The design, synthesis, and in vitro pharmacology of a new class of compounds exerting both thromboxane receptor antagonist and thromboxane synthase inhibitory activities is described. [(3-Pyridinyl)bicycloheptyl] alkanoic acid 9 and its analogues, designed with the help of molecular modeling, were synthesized and found to be inhibitors of thromboxane A2 (TxA2) biosynthesis in a human platelet microsomal preparation. The compounds were also found to antagonize both platelet and vascular TxA2 receptors. The compounds inhibited the U 46619 induced aggregation of human washed platelets and platelet-rich plasma and the U 46619 induced contraction of the dog saphenous vein.

2H-[1]benzopyrano[3,4-b]pyridines: synthesis and activity at central monoamine receptors.

Two general synthetic approaches to a novel series of 2H-[1]benzopyrano[3,4-b]pyridines are described together with their receptor binding profile at a variety of monoamine receptors in mammalian brain tissue. The biologically active members of this series fall into into one of two broad classes: 3,4,4a,5-tetrahydro-2H-[1]benzopyrano[3,4-b]pyridines or trans-1,3,4,4a,5,10b-hexahydro-2H-[1]benzopyrano[3,4-b]pyridines. By appropriate pharmacophoric modification potent selective ligands for D2, alpha-2, 5HT1A, and 5HT2 receptors may be obtained. The previously published in vivo data on certain key representatives of these series are also summarized.

A series of hexahydro[1,4]oxazino[3,4-a]isoquinolines as potential neuroleptics.

The synthesis and stereochemistry of trans-N,N-diethyl-9,10-dimethoxy-1,3,4,6,7,11b-hexahydro[1,4]oxazino[3,4-a]isoquinoline-3-carboxamide hydrochloride (16) and a series of analogues are described. 16 and its (+) isomer had neuroleptic properties in the Sidman avoidance test in gerbils. A few closely related amides of the trans series were active but cis amides were inactive as neuroleptics.

Design and synthesis of an orally active macrocyclic neutral endopeptidase 24.11 inhibitor.

A potent macrocyclic inhibitor of neutral endopeptidase (NEP) 24.11 was designed using a computer model of the active site of thermolysin. This 10-membered ring lactam represents a general mimic for any hydrophobic dipeptide in which the two amino acid side chains bind to an enzyme in a contiguous orientation. The parent 10-membered ring lactam was synthesized and exhibited excellent potency as an NEP 24.11 inhibitor (IC50 = 3 nM). In order to improve oral bioavailability, various functionality was attached to the macrocycle. These modifications lead to CGS 25155, an orally active NEP 24.11 inhibitor that slows down the degradation of the cardiac hormone atrial natriuretic factor, producing a lowering of blood pressure in the DOCA-salt rat model of hypertension.

Syntheses, analgetic activity, and physical dependence capacity of 5-phenyl-6,7-benzomorphan derivatives.

The synthesis, analgetic activity, and physical dependence capacity of a large number of 5-phenyl-6,7-benzomorphan derivatives are described. Observations made during the Stevens' rearrangement of 1-benzyl-1-methyl-delta 3-piperidinium salt derivatives (V) under various conditions are discussed. The absolute configuration of the 9-demethyl series and the 2'-deoxy series is established by comparison of their ORD and CD spectra with those of 49, whose absolute configuration was previously established by X-ray crystallography. A convenient synthesis of 3H-labeled phenols using 3H3PO4 is described, as well as the preparation of 14C-labeled compounds by conventional methods.

Ionization constants by curve fitting: application to the determination of partition coefficients.

A multiparametric curve-fitting technique for pKa calculation has been adapted for use with a programmable calculator or microcomputer. This method provides for the convenient and accurate determination of the ionization constant in aqueous solution and of the apparent ionization constant in the presence of octanol. From these parameters, partition coefficients and apparent partition coefficients are easily calculated and agree with data reported using the shaker technique or HPLC. The curve-fitting method has been applied to the differential titration technique in which the solvent curve is subtracted from the solution curve before calculations are begun. This method has been applied to the potentiometric titration of aqueous solutions of the salts of bases with a very low solubility in water.

Potentiometric determination of the partition and distribution coefficients of dianionic compounds.

The potentiometric determination of the partition and distribution coefficients of two dianionic hexapeptide derivatives is described. For each of these compounds, the partition coefficient of the dianion makes the largest contribution to the distribution coefficient at pH 7.4.

Partition coefficients by curve fitting: the use of two different octanol volumes in a dual-phase potentiometric titration.

It is shown that when two different volumes of the second phase are employed in a single dual-phase potentiometric titration, the partition coefficients of the most highly ionized species can be readily calculated by refinement of the parameters for the dual-purpose titration equations. Graphical comparison of the calculated titration curve with that obtained experimentally is helpful in making initial estimates of the parameters.

Ionization constants by curve fitting: determination of partition and distribution coefficients of acids and bases and their ions.

A convenient procedure has been developed for the determination of partition and distribution coefficients. The method involves the potentiometric titration of the compound, first in water and then in a rapidly stirred mixture of water and octanol. An automatic titrator is used, and the data is collected and analyzed by curve fitting on a microcomputer with 64 K of memory. The method is rapid and accurate for compounds with pKa values between 4 and 10. Partition coefficients can be measured for monoprotic and diprotic acids and bases. The partition coefficients of the neutral compound and its ion(s) can be determined by varying the ratio of octanol to water. Distribution coefficients calculated over a wide range of pH values are presented graphically as "distribution profiles". It is shown that subtraction of the titration curve of solvent alone from that of the compound in the solvent offers advantages for pKa determination by curve fitting for compounds of low aqueous solubility.

Quantitative evaluation of aqueous isopropanol enhancement of skin flux of terbutaline (sulfate). I. Ion associations and species equilibria in the formulation.

It has been reported previously that saturated terbutaline sulfate in aqueous isopropanol significantly enhances the terbutaline flux through human skin in vitro. This paper demonstrates that the effect of isopropanol on the permeant species in the formulation contributes to the flux enhancement. This demonstration is based on studies involving measurements of conductivity and pKa as well as NMR spectroscopy in isopropanol-water mixtures. Increasing isopropanol concentration inhibits the proton dissociation of terbutaline and results in the ion associations between the protonated terbutaline and its counterion, sulfate anion. The species present in the formulation include protonated terbutaline, the negatively charged terbutaline-sulfate (1:1) ion pair, and the neutral terbutaline-sulfate (2:1) ion triplet. The results of the studies provide the basis for a quantitative evaluation of the species equilibria in solutions of terbutaline sulfate. The saturated terbutaline sulfate in 60% isopropanol produces the maximum concentration of the neutral ion triplet. This result is almost parallel to the terbutaline skin flux, which maximized at 60-80% isopropanol.

The relationship of pKa and acute skin irritation in man.

The relationship between pKa and skin irritation in man is studied for a homologous series of benzoic acid derivatives, which permeate through human skin at comparable rates (15-88 micrograms/cm2/hr). Skin irritation and pKa are correlated for pKa less than or equal to 4. Laser Doppler velocimetric assessment of skin blood flow, color meter readings, erythema, edema, and the primary irritation index are all linearly correlated and related to pKa; erythema at 24 hr appears to be the most sensitive parameter to variation in pKa when pKa less than or equal to 4.