New biphenyl derivatives i: 1-(4-biphenylyl)-2-phenylethylamines as potential antispasmodic and cardiovascular agents

(+/-)alpha-Phenyl-beta-(3,4-dimethoxy)- and (+/-)alpha-phenyl-beta -(3,4-dihydroxy)phenethylamines: potential probes for nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-ion channel molecule from torpedo electric organ

The synthesis of some N-methyl, N-alkyl derivatives of (+/-)alpha-phenyl-beta-(3,4-dimethoxy)- and (+/-)alpha-phenyl-beta-(3,4-dihydroxy)-phenethylamines was achieved. These compounds were shown to bear certain structural features of acetylcholine (ACh), as well as phencyclidine (PCP). The latter was reported to act as a specific probe for the nicotinic ACh receptor-ion channel molecule from Torpedo electric organ. Biochemical binding studies revealed that for the nicotinic ACh receptor, the 3,4-dimethoxy derivatives behaved as blockers for the binding interaction of [3H]ACh, whereas the 3,4-dihydroxy analogues stimulated such binding. On the other hand, all of the tested phenethylamines exhibited potent blockade towards [3H]PCP binding interactions. The results indicated that the tested compounds might be applied as potential probes for the ACh receptor-ion channel molecule.

alpha-Phenyl-beta-(3,4-dimethoxy)phenethylamines: novel inhibitors of choline acetyltransferase from Torpedo electric organ

Some derivatives of alpha-phenyl-beta-(3,4-dimethoxy)phenethylamine that might bear a certain conformational resemblance to choline were prepared. The in vitro inhibition of choline acetyltransferase from Torpedo electric organ was investigated. These compounds gave variable degrees of inhibition; the most potent inhibitor was, N,N,N,-trimethyl-alpha-phenyl-beta-(3,4-dimethoxy)phenethylammonium++ + iodide, with an I50 of 1.3 X 10(-5) M. The inhibition of choline acetyltransferase from Spodoptera littoralis larval brains was also determined for comparative study. The aforementioned compound has an I50 of 9 X 10(-6) M on choline acetyltransferase from this source.

Thiourea and thiosemicarbazide derivatives structurally related to hexestrol: synthesis and anticancer and other pharmacological properties

Two novel series of thio compounds bearing internal structural modifications of hexestrol were synthesized as potential anticancer agents. The first contains several N-substituted thiourea functions, and the second contains various N4-substituted-3-thiosemicarbazide moieties in place of one alpha-ethyl group of hexestrol dimethyl ether. The products showed no antileukemic activity in the P-388 lymphocytic leukemia system and did not exhibit any anticonvulsant or estrogenic properties.

New biphenyl derivatives II: 1-(4-Biphenylyl)-1-hydroxy-2-aminoethanes and 1-(4-biphenylyl)-1-chloro-2-aminoethanes as potential beta-adrenoceptor blocking agents

Series of 1-(4-biphenylyl)-1-hydroxy-2-aminoethanes and 1-(4-biphenylyl)-1-chloro-2-aminoethanes were synthesized. Newly developed reaction conditions for aryl aminomethyl ketone reduction and reductive alkylation, using sodium borohydride, are described. The prepared compounds were examined for adrenergic blocking activity on an anesthetized dog blood pressure preparation and on isolated toad hearts. beta-Adrenergic blockade was investigated using isoproterenol as the agonist. The benzylamino and cyclohexylamino analogs exhibited marked beta-adrenoceptor blocking activity, for which the latter derivatives were more potent.