Metabolism of 7-(1,3-thiazolidin-2-ylmethyl)theophylline by rat liver microsomes. Evidence for a monooxygenase-dependent step in 1,3-thiazolidine ring cleavage.

Metabolic transformation of the mucoregulator and bronchodilator 7-(1,3-thiazolidin-2-ylmethyl)theophylline was studied in vitro with a rat liver microsomal preparation containing a NADPH-generating system. The only metabolite observed was 7-theophyllinacetaldehyde. In contrast to previous literature pointing out the chemical nature of 2-substituted thiazolidine ring cleavage, the formation of 7-theophyllinacetaldehyde was mediated by monooxygenase-dependent oxidation. Possibly an unstable sulfoxide was the first metabolic product, rapidly converted to 7-theophyllinacetaldehyde by hydrolysis. The sulfoxidation was apparently catalyzed mainly by flavin-containing monooxygenases, as selective thermal inactivation and methymazole significantly reduced the rate of formation of the metabolite. No N7-dealkylation pathway producing theophylline was detected, indicating a high regioselectivity in in vitro metabolism, due to the nucleophilicity of the sulfur atom.     

Stereoselective S-oxygenation of 2-aryl-1,3-dithiolanes by the flavin-containing and cytochrome P-450 monooxygenases

The reaction of NalO4, highly purified flavin-containing monooxygenase (EC 1.14.13.8), and microsomes from hog liver with 2-aryl-1,3-dithiolanes and 2-aryl-1,3-dithiolane S-oxides was investigated. The initial rates determined for the microsome- and purified flavin-containing monooxygenase-catalyzed rate of S-oxidation of para-substituted 2-aryl-1,3-dithiolanes were similar, demonstrating that S-oxidation of these substrates occurred with similar velocities at saturating concentrations of substrate and, at least for the first S-oxidation, the reaction was insensitive to the nature of the para-substituent. The diastereoselectivity of S-oxygenation of 2-aryl-1,3-dithiolanes was determined and, in general, a marked preference for addition of oxygen to the sulfide sulfur atom was observed to occur trans to the aryl groups. In all cases examined, enantioselective enzymatic S-oxidation was observed. For S-oxide formation in microsomes, the data provided evidence for a minor role of cytochrome P-450 in S-oxide formation, but the flavin-containing monooxygenase was mainly responsible for production of S-oxide. In contrast to previous reports, the enantioselectivity of S-oxidation catalyzed by highly purified cytochrome P-450IIB-1 and cytochrome P-450IIB-10 was not always opposite to that catalyzed by hog liver flavin-containing monooxygenase activity. 2-Aryl-1,3-dithiolane S-oxides were also oxidized a second time by NalO4, microsomes, or highly purified flavin-containing monooxygenase from hog liver but not cytochrome P-450IIB-1 or P-450IIB-10. The rate of the second oxidation was 10-15-fold slower than the corresponding first S-oxidation and S,S'-dioxide formation was markedly dependent on the electronic nature of the para-substituent (Hammett correlation rho value of -1.3 and -1.1 for microsomes and highly purified flavin-containing monooxygenase from hog liver, respectively). The large dependence of the rate of S,S'-dioxide formation on the nature of the para-substituent demonstrates that velocity values at saturating concentrations of S-oxide were not the same for all 2-aryl-1,3-dithiolane S-oxides and suggests that the chemical nature of the 2-aryl-1,3-dithiolane S-oxide contributes to the rate-determining step of this enzymatic reaction.     

Pharmacological and toxicological activities of a new methylxanthine derivative [7-(1,3-dithiolan-2-ylmethyl)1,3-dimethylxanthine] with antibronchospastic and mucoregulatory properties

7-(1,3-Dithiolan-2-ylmethyl)-1,3-dimethylxanthine (ABC 99) has been studied in the animal to evaluate its pharmacological activity. This compound was found to have antibronchospastic activity in vitro and in vivo markedly greater than aminophylline. The new compound also had moderate antitussic properties and was an active mucoregulator. ABC 99 acts as an intestinal muscle relaxant, but it has no cardiovascular, urinary, or CNS side effects. The mechanism of ABC 99 could be explained by its inhibition of guinea-pig lung phosphodiesterases and affinity for adenosine receptors, particularly A2 receptors. ABC 99 had a low acute toxicity in animals, indicating it may be useful for treating asthma and chronic bronchitis.     

In vivo anti-inflammatory activity of 7-(1,3-dithiolan-2-ylmethyl)-1,3-dimethylxanthine

A new methylxanthine derivative [7-(1,3-dithiolan-2-ylmethyl)-1,3-dimethylxanthine, ABC 99] with mucoregulatory and antibronchospastic properties has been studied. ABC 99 was observed to have marked anti-inflammatory activity in a series of experimental trials involving the principal mediators of inflammation (PAF, histamine, serotonin, LTC4-like substances, etc). It inhibits the formation of oedemas induced both by carrageenin and PAF in the rat paw, and reduces the increase in vascular permeability induced by histamine and serotonin. ABC 99 was also found to inhibit PAF-induced pleurisy, reducing the volume of pleural exudate and the presence of LTC4-like substances in the pleural cavity. When administered subacutely, ABC 99 checks the formation of granulation tissue caused by the subcutaneous implantation of cotton pellets in the rat. These experimental results indicate ABC 99 may be of particular interest in the treatment of respiratory disorders involving obstructive inflammation and bronchial hypersensitivity.     

Enantioselective S-oxygenation of 2-aryl-1,3-dithiolanes by rabbit lung enzyme preparations

Pulmonary microsomes, highly purified pulmonary flavin-containing monooxygenase, and highly purified pulmonary cytochrome P-450IIB-4 from pregnant female rabbits catalyze the NADPH-dependent S-oxygenation of a series of 2-aryl-1,3-dithiolanes. The S-oxide is the only detectable product formed during the short time period of the enzymatic reactions. Studies on the biochemical mechanism for S-oxygenation of 2-aryl-1,3-dithiolanes suggest that this reaction is catalyzed preferentially by the flavin-containing monooxygenase, although cytochromes P-450 also contribute to S-oxygenation. This conclusion is based on the effects of a cytochrome P-450 inhibitor, aminobenzotriazole, as well as on studies of the stereoselectivity of the reaction. Although both purified rabbit pulmonary cytochrome P-450IIB-4 and purified flavin-containing monooxygenase have identical diastereoselectivity, producing the (trans)-S-oxide, these monooxygenases possess opposite S-oxygenation enantioselectivity. Pulmonary cytochrome P-450IIB-4 S-oxygenates 2-aryl-1,3-dithiolanes almost exclusively at the pro-S-sulfur atom, whereas pulmonary flavin-containing monooxygenase S-oxygenates 2-aryl-1,3-dithiolanes exclusively at the pro-R-sulfur atom. 2-Aryl-1,3-dithiolane S-oxides are S-oxygenated a second time on the S'-sulfide sulfur atom but only by rabbit lung microsomes and pulmonary flavin-containing monooxygenase and not by cytochrome P-450IIB-4. That pulmonary flavin-containing monooxygenase only catalyzes formation of (trans)- and not (cis)-2-aryl-1,3-dithiolane S-oxide formation suggests that the active site of pulmonary flavin-containing monooxygenase exerts great steric limitations on 2-aryl-1,3-dithiolane S-oxygenation.     

1,3-Dialkyl-4-(iminoarylmethyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-ols. A series of novel potential antipsychotic agents

2-(Diethylamino)-N-[4-(2-fluorobenzoyl)-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl] acetamide (1) was recently found to have an antipsychotic-like profile in behavioral animal tests but, unlike clinically available antipsychotic agents, did not interact with dopamine receptors. Compound 1 was apparently metabolized to (5-amino-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)(2-fluorophenyl)methanone (2), which was both active in the behavioral animal tests and toxic. The synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of a series of 1,3-dialkyl-4-(iminoarylmethyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-ols are described in which the hydroxy and imine functionalities were selected as possible isosteric replacements for the amino and ketone groups of the earlier series. The initial target, 1,3-dimethyl-4-(iminophenylmethyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-ol (28), like known antipsychotics, reduced spontaneous locomotion in mice at doses that did not cause ataxia, and unlike known agents, it did not bind to D2 dopamine receptors in vitro. An examination of the SAR of related compounds indicated that maximal activity was obtained with analogues containing methyl groups at the 1- and 3-positions on the pyrazole ring and with a 3-chloro substituent on the phenyl ring. Replacement of the hydrogen atom of the imine moiety with various substituents led to loss of activity. Attempts to synthesize the 2-fluorophenyl compound analogous to 2 resulted in ring-closure to 1,3-dimethyl[1]benzopyrano[2,3-c]pyrazol-4-(1H)-one (65). 4-[(3-Chlorophenyl)iminomethyl]-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-5-ol (41) was evaluated in additional tests. It inhibited conditioned avoidance responding in both rats and monkeys but, unlike available antipsychotic drugs, did not elicit dystonic movements in a primate model of antipsychotic-induced extrapyramidal side effects.     

Autoxidation of tetrazepam in tablets: prediction of degradation impurities from the oxidative behavior in solution.

The major route of degradation of tetrazepam (1) is oxidation to 7-chloro-5-(3-keto-cyclohexen-1-yl)-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-2H-1, 4-benzodiazepin-2-one (3) via the stable 7-chloro-5-(3-hydroperoxy-cyclohexen-1-yl)-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-2H -1, 4 benzodiazepin-2-one (2). Minor degradation products are 7-chloro-5-(1,2-epoxycyclohexan-1-yl)-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-2H-1, 4-benzodiazepin-2-one (5) and 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-2H-1, 4-benzodiazepin-2,5-dione (4), resulting from cleavage of the C-C bond between the cyclohexene ring and the benzodiazepine ring. After 48 h, AIBN (2,2'-azobis[2-methyl-propanenitrile]) in acetonitrile at 40 degrees C produced qualitatively the same impurities as those observed in the stability study of tablets of 1. Other stress tests (thermal stress at 80 degrees C, heavy metal oxidation, hydrogen peroxide, acid-catalyzed oxidation) caused qualitatively different profiles of degradation.     

Metabolism of 2-(4-methylsulphonyl-2-nitrobenzoyl)-1,3-cyclohexanedione (mesotrione) in rat and mouse.

1. The metabolic fate of [14C]-2-(4-methylsulphonyl-2-nitrobenzoyl)-1,3-cyclohexanedione (mesotrione) has been determined in the male and female rat and mouse following a single oral dose of either 1 or 100 mg kg(-1), in rat given 14 consecutive oral doses of 1 mg kg(-1), and in the surgically prepared, bile duct-cannulated rat following a single oral dose of 50 mg kg(-1). The excretion of a single i.v,. dose of 1 mg kg(-1) in the male and female rat was also investigated. 2. Mesotrione was extensively absorbed and rapidly excreted via urine in both rat and mouse. The absorbed dose was not well metabolized in either species. Unabsorbed material was subject to metabolic action by the gut microflora. 3. The major metabolic pathway was hydroxylation of the aromatic ring. There was evidence for cleavage of the dione and aromatic rings followed by reduction of the nitro group in the gastrointestinal tract. 4. There were no species differences in the metabolism and excretion of mesotrione, which could explain the species differences in toxicity reported for this class of compounds.     

Mechanism of the metabolism of 1,3-benzodioxoles to carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide is a minor product formed during the cytochrome P-450-catalyzed oxidation of 1,3-benzodioxoles. Studies with [2-13C]methylene 1,3-benzodioxoles established that the methylenic carbon of the 1,3-benzodioxole ring is the source of the carbon atom in the carbon monoxide, and an isotope effect of 1.7 to 2.0 was observed with [2-2H2]methylene derivatives. Incubations conducted in the presence of [18O]dioxygen and [18O]water showed that the oxygen atom in carbon monoxide arises from both oxygen and water. A mechanism consistent with these data has been proposed for carbon monoxide formation. It involves initial monooxygenation of the 1,3-benzodioxole to a 2-hydroxy derivative that subsequently forms a 2-hydroxyphenyl formate intermediate, which yields either carbon monoxide or formate. The proposed mechanism is discussed in terms of its possible relationship to the inhibitory activity of 1,3-benzodioxoles toward microsomal oxidation.     

Structure elucidation and conformational properties of synthetic cannabinoids (-)-2-(6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydro-6,6,9-trimethyl-1-hydroxy-6H-dibenzo [b,d]pyranyl)-2-hexyl-1,3-dithiolane and its methylated analog

The synthetic cannabinoid (-)-2-(6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydro-6,6,9-trimethyl-1-hydroxy-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyranyl)-2-hexyl-1,3-dithiolane (AMG-3) is a cannabimimetic molecular probe with one of the highest binding affinities reported to date. Therefore, due to its potential pharmacological importance, its structure was sought to be elucidated and its conformational properties were studied using a combination of 1D, 2D NMR spectroscopy and molecular modelling. The structure of its methylated analog (-)-2-(6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydro-6,6,9-trimethyl-6H dibenzo [b,d]pyranyl-1-methoxy)-2-hexyl-1,3 dithiolane (AMG-18), was also studied and its conformational properties were compared with AMG-3. AMG-18 lacks of the phenolic hydroxyl group a strict requirement for cannabimimetic activity and is almost devoid of any biological activity. The conformational analysis studies showed that 1′,1′ dithiolane ring restricted the orientation preferences of alkyl chain. This may account for the high binding affinity of AMG-3 to cananbinoid receptors. Grid scan search studies showed different preferences of possible adopting dihedral values of phenolic hydroxyl group and its methyl ether. These observations may account for their differences in biological activity.     

Metabolism of 2-(4-methylsulphonyl-2-nitrobenzoyl)-1,3-cyclohexanedione (mesotrione) in rat and mouse

1. The metabolic fate of [14 C]-2-(4-methylsulphonyl-2-nitrobenzoyl)-1,3-cyclohexanedione (mesotrione) has been determined in the male and female rat and mouse following a single oral dose of either 1 or 100?mg kg -1, in rat given 14 consecutive oral doses of 1?mg kg -1, and in the surgically prepared, bile duct-cannulated rat following a single oral dose of 50?mg kg -1. The excretion of a single i.v. dose of 1?mg kg -1 in the male and female rat was also investigated. 2. Mesotrione was extensively absorbed and rapidly excreted via urine in both rat and mouse. The absorbed dose was not well metabolized in either species. Unabsorbed material was subject to metabolic action by the gut microflora. 3. The major metabolic pathway was hydroxylation of the aromatic ring. There was evidence for cleavage of the dione and aromatic rings followed by reduction of the nitro group in the gastrointestinal tract. 4. There were no species differences in the metabolism and excretion of mesotrione, which could explain the species differences in toxicity reported for this class of compounds.     

Characterization of metabolites of xylazine produced in vivo and in vitro by LC/MS/MS and by GC/MS.

The metabolic fate of xylazine, 2-(2,6-dimethylphenylamino)-5,6-dihydro-4H-1,3-thiazine, in horses is described. The major metabolites identified in the hydrolyzed horse urine were 2-(4'-hydroxy-2',6'-dimethylphenylamino)-5,6-dihydro-4H-1,3-thiazi ne, 2-(3'-hydroxy-2',6'-dimethylphenylamino)-5,6-dihydro-4H-1,3-thiazi ne, N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)thiourea, and 2-(2',6'-dimethylphenylamino)-4-oxo-5,6-dihydro-1,3-thiazine. These metabolites were also produced by incubating xylazine with rat liver microsomes. The major metabolite produced in vitro by rat liver preparations was found to be the ring opened N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)thiourea. The identities of these metabolites were confirmed by spectroscopic comparisons with synthetic standards. Phenolic metabolic standards were synthesized efficiently by the use of Fenton's reagent. This reagent was used to monohydroxylate multiply substituted aromatic ring systems. LC/MS/MS, with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source, was found to be particularly useful in confirming the presence of phenolic metabolites in hydrolyzed equine urine and microsomal extracts. These phenolic metabolites could not be analyzed by GC/MS even after derivatization with silylating agents. The advantage of LC/MS/MS was that no or little sample preparation of urine or microsomal extract was necessary prior to the analysis. A mechanism is also proposed for the formation of the major metabolite, N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)thiourea, from xylazine.     

Investigation of enhancer structure activity relationships in congeners of 2-(1-nonyl)-1,3-dioxolane

Twelve analogues of 2-(1-nonyl)-1,3-dioxolane were examined for enhancer activity using occluded hairless mouse skin in vitro with hydrocortisone as the model drug. Controls consisted of no enhancer or vehicle pretreatment (I) or propylene glycol pretreatment 1 h prior to drug application (II). Enhancers were applied at 0.4 M in propylene glycol (PG) 1 h prior to skin application of a saturated suspension of hydrocortisone in the same vehicle. The highest 24-h receptor concentration (Q₂₄) of steroid was observed using 2-(1-nonyl)-1,3-dioxolane: 131.472 ± 20.659 μM compared to Control I of 16.462 ± 4.859 Rm. Control II Q₂₄ values were 34.015 ± 9.959 μm. The highest skin steroid content was produced by 2-(1-nonyl)-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane: 431.4 ± 212.2 μg g^-1 and 2-(1-nonyl)-2,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane: 385.7 ± 138.7 μg g^-1. Skin steroid content of Control I was 490.2 ± 243.2 μg g^-1 and of II was 112.7 ± 31.3 μg g^-1. Control I and II results indicated that PG was exhibiting enhancer activity. All 12 dioxolanes showed poor skin steroid retention (compared with Control I), suggesting that these compounds could be useful for enhancing systemic rather than local drug delivery.     

Vascular and anti-platelet actions of 1,2- and 1,3-glyceryl dinitrate.

1. The aim of this study was to investigate whether two metabolites of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), 1,2 and 1,3-glyceryl dinitrate (1,2-GDN and 1,3-GDN) could account for the pharmacological effects of GTN. To this end the formation of nitric oxide (NO) from 1,2- and 1,3-GDN in the presence of bovine aortic smooth muscle cells (SMC) or endothelial cells (EC) was studied. The effects of various thiols on NO formation from these dinitrates was also evaluated. 2. 1,2-GDN or 1,3-GDN (10(-10)-10(-5) M) caused a dose-dependent relaxation of rabbit aortic strips denuded of endothelium and precontracted with phenylephrine. The dinitrates were less than one tenth as potent as GTN. 3. Incubation of 1,2-GDN or 1,3-GDN (75-2400 microM) with SMC for 30 min led to a concentration-dependent increase in nitrite (NO2-) formation but this increase was less than that produced from GTN. Likewise incubation of 1,2-GDN or 1,3-GDN with N-acetylcysteine (NAC), glutathione (GSH) or thiosalicylic acid (TSA) (all at 1 mM) for 30 min at 37 degrees C produced a concentration-dependent increase in NO2- formation. 4. Platelet aggregation induced by thrombin (40 mu ml-1) was not modified by high concentrations of 1,2-GDN or 1,3-GDN (175-700 microM). However, aggregation was inhibited when platelets were exposed to 1,2-GDN or 1,3-GDN (700 microM) in the presence of SMC (0.24-1.92 x 10(5) cells) or EC (0.8-3.2 x 10(5) cells). These effects were abrogated by co-incubation with oxyhaemoglobin (OxyHb, 10 microM) indicating that they were due to NO release.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Synthesis, reactions and biological activity of some new thieno[2,3-f]-1,3-benzodioxoles.

The reaction of 7-chlorothieno[2,3-f]-1,3-benzodioxole-6-carbonyl chloride (2) with some aromatic or heterocyclic amines gave the corresponding 6-(aryl or heterocyclyl) carbamoyl-7-chlorothieno [2,3-f]-1,3-benzodioxoles (3a-c, 4a, b and 5). Compound 2 was also reacted with potassium thiocyanate, ethanol or sodium azide to afford the isothiocyanto compound 6, the ester 7 and the acid azide 9, respectively. Hydrazinolysis of 7 gave the carbohydrazide 8. The compounds 6, 8 and 9 were used as precursors in the synthesis of the target heterocycles, 7-chlorothieno[2,3-f]-1,3-benzodioxoles substituted with a variety of moieties at position-6 (10-15, 17, 19-26, 28-31). Also, 2-methyl-1,3-dixolo[5,6][1]benzothieno[2,3-c]quinolin- 6(5 H)-one (33) was prepared. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of some selected compounds were also reported.     

Synthesis and activity of potent 3-(isoxazolidin-5-yl)- and 3-(isoxazolidinium-5-yl)cephalosporins.

The syntheses and in vitro antibacterial activities of 3-(isoxazolidin-5-yl)- and 3-(isoxazolidinium-5-yl)cephalosporins are described. 1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition of 3-vinylcephalosporin with nitrone gave diastereomeric isomers of 3-(isoxazolidin-5-yl)cephalosporin. The antibacterial activities of 3'-(S)-isomers were superior to those of 3'-(R)-isomers. The quaternarization of isoxazolidine ring increased the antibacterial activity. Among them, compound 10b with a hydroxyimino group in the C-7 side chain showed potent activities against staphylococci and compound 10f with an N-hydroxypyridone exhibited an excellent antipseudomonal activity.     

2-[(arylmethyl) amino]-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol DNA intercalators. An examination of the effects of aromatic ring variation on antitumor activity and DNA binding

The effects of variation of aromatic ring size, shape, and side-chain position on antitumor activity and DNA binding in a series of carbocyclic 2-[(arylmethyl)amino]-2-methyl-1,3-propanediols (AMAPs) were examined. In general, the interaction of AMAPs with DNA increases as the intercalating ring system grows in area, with three distinct binding levels evident. Isomers from a specific ring system appear to bind DNA similarly. DNA binding is not the sole criterion for antitumor activity for the AMAPs studied; the magnitude of the delta Tm does not correlate with the antitumor activity observed. Significant in vivo P388 activity was seen for AMAP congeners from several tetracyclic ring systems. However, isomers from each of the specific ring systems produced a wide range of in vivo P388 activity. Thus, AMAP antitumor activity is not a function of the ring system per se, but rather appears to be related to the shape of the specific molecule. Three AMAP congeners (crisnatol (770U82, 773U82, and 502U83) are currently in clinical trials.     

Synthesis, antiproliferative, and antiviral activity of certain 4-substituted and 4,5-disubstituted 7-[(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxy)methyl]pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines

The sodium salts of 4-chloro- and several 4-chloro-5-substituted-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines were treated with [1,3-bis(benzyloxy)-2-propoxy]methyl chloride (6) to provide the corresponding 4-chloro- and 4-chloro-5-substituted-7-[[1,3-bis(benzyloxy)-2-propoxy]methyl]pyrrolo [2,3-d]pyrimidines (7-11). Debenzylation with boron trichloride at -78 degrees C furnished 4-chloro- and several 4-chloro-5-substituted-7-[(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxy)methyl]pyrrolo[2,3- d]pyrimidines (12.16). Subsequent amination of 12-16 yielded the 4-amino-5-substituted-7-[(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxy)methyl]pyrrolo[2,3- d]pyrimidines (17-21). Treatment of 14 with methylamine and 13 and 14 with ethylamine yielded the 4-(alkylamino)-5-halo-7-[(1,3-dihydroxy-2- propoxy)methyl]pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines (22-24). Treatment of 12-15 with hydroxylamine in refluxing 2-propanol yielded the 5-substituted-4-(hydroxyamino)-7-[(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxy)methyl]pyrrol o [2,3-d]pyrimidines (25-28). Treatment of compound 12 with Pd/C under a hydrogen atmosphere has furnished the nebularine analogue 31. The antiproliferative activity of compounds 17-28 and 31 was studied using L1210 cells in vitro. The 4-amino- and 4-(hydroxyamino)-5-halogenated derivatives (compounds 18-20, 26-28) inhibited cell growth. Although the effect of compounds 18-20 and 27 on final growth rate was pronounced (IC50 = 2.3, 0.7, 2.8, and 3.7 microM, respectively), cells underwent at least one doubling before cell division stopped. The remaining compounds were less cytotoxic, with IC50's greater than 30 microM for 21, 23, 26, and 28, whereas no inhibition of L1210 cell growth was observed with compounds 17, 22, 24, 25, and 31 at 100 microM. The antiviral activity of these compounds also was tested. Compounds 18-20 and 26-28 were active against human cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex type 1. The 4-amino derivatives (18-20) were more active than the 4-hydroxyamino derivatives (26-28), the 4-amino-5-bromo and 4-amino-5-iodo derivatives produced more than five log reductions in virus titer at concentrations of 10-100 microM. Although some cytotoxicity was observed at these concentrations, compound 19 was active against murine cytomegalovirus in vivo. At 5.6 mg/kg, 14/15 animals survived compared to 10/15 treated with 5.6 mg/kg of ganciclovir or 1/15 treated with placebo.     

Synthesis and biological activity of 5-fluoro- and 5-methyl-1,3-oxazine-2,6(3H)-dione.

5-Fluoro-1,3-oxazine-2,6(3H)-dione (3-oxa-FU) was synthesized by reacting 3-oxauracil with fluoroxytrifluoromethane and decomposing the adduct in the presence of a catalytic amount of Et3N. 5-Methyl-1,3-oxazine-2,6(3H)-dione (3-oxathymine) was prepared by polyphosphoric acid catalyzed ring closure of beta-(N-ethoxycarbonylamino)-2-methacrylic acid and by treatment of citraconimide with sodium hypochlorite. As determined in vitro, 3-oxa-FU was markedly inhibitory to S. faecium (ID50 = 9 X 10(-8) M) and E. coli (ID50 = 1 X 10(-7) M) but was less active against leukemia L-1210 cells (ID50 = 1 X 10(-5) M). At 1 x 10(-4) M, 3-oxathymine was inactive in these cell systems. Inhibition of the growth of S. faecium by 3-oxa-FU was reversed competitively by the natural pyrimidines. The relatively rapid hydrolysis of the compounds in the growth media is a major factor in determining their biological effectiveness.     

Effects of 2-aryl-1,3-indandiones on the reduction of 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol by methemoglobin reductase

Both steric and electronic factors appeared to be essential to the interaction of 2-aryl-1,3-indandiones with methemoglobin reductase. 2-Phenyl-1,3-indandione, 2-(3,5-di-tert.butylphenyl)-1,3-indandione and 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-indandione were found to be cofactors of the enzyme. By introducing electron-attracting substituents into the phenyl ring strong competitive inhibitors were obtained: 2-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-1,3-indandione and 2-(3,5-di-trifluoromethylphenyl)-1,3-indandione. Two ortho-substituted derivatives, 2-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-1,3-indandione and 2-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-1,3-indandione, had no effect at all on the reduction. The anti-inflammatory activities of 2-aryl-1,3-indandiones, as determined in a carrageenan oedema test, showed no relationship to the interaction with the enzyme.