Relationship of metabolism of 2′-, 3′- and 5′-adenine nucleotides to presynaptic inhibition of transmitter release in rat vas deferens

Summary In the isolated rat vas deferens stimulated at 0.2 Hz, a series of 2, 3-, and 5-substituted adenine nucleotides all inhibited the twitch responses, their actions being potentiated by the nucleoside transport inhibitors, HNBTGR, NBMPR and dipyridamole.The metabolism of these nucleotides was examined utilising HPLC analysis of the bathing medium after exposure to 30 M nucleoside or nucleotide for 5 min. 5-AMP, 5-ADP, 5-ATP, and NAD⁺ were all partially hydrolysed to adenosine, the relative extent of this being 5-AMP>5-ADP=5-ATPNAD⁺. However, the other nucleotides examined were not detectably converted to adenosine or to adenosine deamination products.These results indicate that the 2-, 3- and 5-substituted nucleotides studied act at a P₁-purinoceptor in rat vas deferens to inhibit neurotransmission and, with the exception of 5-AMP, 5-ADP, 5-ATP and NAD⁺, all appear to act directly at this receptor. However, the 5-adenine nucleotides (AMP, ADP and ATP) and NAD⁺ all appear to act at least partially indirectly subsequent to their hydrolysis to adenosine.Abbreviations. The following abbreviations are used ADA adenosine deaminase (EC 3.5.4.4) - 5-ADP adenosine 5-diphosphate - 2,5-ADP adenosine 2,5-diphosphate - 3 5-ADP, adenosine 3,5-diphosphate - 2-, 3 or 5-AMP adenosine 2-, 3-, or 5-monophosphate - 5-ATP adenosine 5-triphosphate - cNADP⁺ -nicotinamide dinucleotide 2,3-cyclic monophosphate - CoA coenzyme A - HNBTGR 6-(2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl)-thioguanosine - NAD⁺ -nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide - NADP⁺ -nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate - NBMPR 6-(4-nitrobenzylthio)-purine riboside     

Cyclodextrins as Nasal Absorption Promoters of Insulin: Mechanistic Evaluations

The safety and effectiveness of cyclodextrins (CD) as nasal absorption promoters of peptide-like macromolecules have been investigated. The relative effectiveness of the cyclodextrins in enhancing insulin nasal absorption was found to be in the descending order of dimethyl--cyclodextrin (DMCD) > -cyclodextrin (-CD) > -cyclodextrin (-CD), hydroxypropyl--cyclodextrin (HPCD) > -cyclodextrin (-CD). A direct relationship linking absorption promotion to nasal membrane protein release is evident, which in turn correlates well with nasal membrane phospholipid release. The magnitude of the membrane damaging effects determined by the membrane protein or phospholipid release may provide an accurate, simple, and useful marker for predicting safety of the absorption enhancers. In order to estimate further the magnitude of damage and specificity of cyclodextrin derivatives in solubilizing nasal membrane components, the enzymatic activities of membrane-bound 5-nucleotidase (5-ND) and intracellular lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the perfusates were also measured. HPCD at a 5% concentration was found to result in only minimal removal of epithelial membrane proteins as evidenced by a slight increase in 5-ND and total absence of LDH activity. On the other hand, 5% DMCD caused extensive removal of the membrane-bound 5-ND. Moreover, intracellular LDH activity in the perfusate increased almost linearly with time. The cyclodextrins are also capable of dissociating insulin hexamers into smaller aggregates, and this dissociation depends on cyclodextrin structure and concentration. Enhancement of insulin diffusivity across nasal membrane through dissociation may provide an additional mechanism for cyclodextrin promotion of nasal insulin absorption.     

Synthesis and Anti-inflammatory Effect of Chalcones and Related Compounds

Purpose. Mast cell and neutrophil degradations are the important players in inflammatory disorders. Combined with potent inhibition of chemical mediators released from mast cells and neutrophil degranulations, it could be a promising anti-inflammatory agent. 2,5-Dihydroxychalcone has been reported as a potent chemical mediator and cyclooxygenase inhibitor. In an effort to continually develop potent anti-inflammatory agents, a novel series of chalcone, 2- and 3-hydroxychalcones, 2,5-dihydroxychalcones and flavanones were continually synthesized to evaluate their inhibitory effects on the activation of mast cells and neutrophils and the inhibitory effect on phlogist-induced hind-paw edema in mice. Methods. A series of chalcones and related compounds were prepared by Claisen-Schmidt condensation of appropriate acetophenones with appropriate aromatic aldehyde and the anti-inflammatory activities of these synthetic compounds were studied on inhibitory effects on the activation of mast cells and neutrophils. Results. Some chalcones showed strong inhibitory effects on the release of -glucuronidase and histamine from rat peritoneal mast cells stimulated with compound 48/80. Almost all chalcones and 4-hydroxyflavanone exhibited potent inhibitory effects on the release of -glucuronidase and lysozyme from rat neutrophils stimulated with formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP). Some chalcones showed potent inhibitory effects on superoxide formation of rat neutrophils stimulated with fMLP/cytochalasin B (CB) or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). 2,3-Dihydroxy-, 2,5-dihydroxy-4-chloro-, and 2,5-dihydroxychalcone showed remarkable inhibitory effects on hind-paw edema induced by polymyxin B in normal as well as in adrenalectomized mice. Conclusions. These results indicated that the anti-inflammatory effects of these compounds were mediated, at least partly, through the suppression of chemical mediators released from mast cells and neutrophils.     

Wirkung von cyclischem Adenosin-3′,5′-Monophosphat (3′,5′-AMP) und seinem Dibutyrylderivat (DBA) auf Lipolyse,Glykogenolyse und Corticosteronsynthese

Zusammenfassung 1. Am isolierten Fettgewebe von Ratten hatte das Dibutyrylderivat des cyclischen Adenosin-3,5-Monophosphat (DBA) eine etwa 100 mal stärkere lipolytische Wirkung als das nicht substituierte cyclische Adenosin-3,5-Monophosphat (3,5-AMP). Hormone (ACTH, Noradrenalin) waren an diesem Testobjekt 10000 mal wirksamer als DBA. Durch Hemmung der Phosphodiesterase mit Theophyllin ließ sich auch die Wirkung des DBA verstärken.2. An isolierten Nebennieren von Ratten stimulierte DBA die Corticosteronsynthese etwa 100 mal stärker als 3,5-AMP; ACTH war aber 500 mal wirksamer als DBA. Durch Theophyllin ließ sich die Wirkung von ACTH, DBA bzw. 3,5-AMP nicht verstärken. Hohe Konzentrationen des Xanthinderivates hemmten die Corticosteronsynthese.3. An Ratten war die hyperglykämische Wirkung des DBA wesentlich stärker als diejenige des 3,5-AMP: Für eine Erhöhung des Blutzuckerspiegels um 40 mg/100 ml benötigten wir von DBA weniger als 1 mol/kg, von 3,5-AMP aber 30 mol/kg. Diese Wirkung der Nucleotide ließ sich durch Theophyllin nicht verstärken. Der Fettsäuren- und Glyceringehalt des Plasmas wurde durch Injektion von DBA bzw. 3,5-AMP nicht erhöht, sondern erniedrigt. — Die Ergebnisse wurden im Zusammenhang mit dem Second Messenger Concept von Sutherland u. Mitarb. diskutiert.Über einen Teil der Ergebnisse wurde auf der 8. Frühjahrstagung der Deutschen Pharmakologischen Gesellschaft (Stock u. Westermann, 1967; Bieck u. Westermann, 1967) sowie in einer kurzen Mitteilung (Bleck et al., 1968) berichtet.     

Trennung und Bestimmung der Nucleotide des Gehirns

Ohne ZusammenfassungFolgende Abkürzungen werden in der Arbeit verwendet AMP Adenosin-5-monophosphat - ADP Adenosin-5-diphosphat - ATP Adenosin-5-triphosphat - GMP Guanosin-5-monophosphat - GDP Guanosin-5-diphosphat - GTP Guanosin-5-triphosphat - IMP Inosin-5-monophosphat - UMP Uridin-5-monophosphat - UDP Uridin-5-diphosphat - UTP Uridin-5-triphosphat - UDPAG Uridin-5-diphosphat-N-acetylglucosamin - UDPG Uridin-5-diphosphat-glucose - DPN Diphosphopyridinnucleotid - TPN Triphosphopyridinnucleotid Mit 10 TextabbildungenMit Unterstütznng der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Synthesis and transformations of furan derivatives

By the reactions of 2-phenyl-4-(2-furfuryliden)-, 2-phenyl-4-(5-nitro-2-furfuryliden)-, and 2-methyl-4-(5-nitro-2-furfuryliden)-5-oxazolones with primary and secondary amines, a series of N-mono- and N,N-disubstituted amides of the corresponding-benzamido--(2-furyl)-acrylic and-benzamido- and-acetamido--(5-nitro-2-furyl)acrylic acids was synthesized. 1-Alkyl(aryl) substituted 2-phenyl-4-(5-nitro-2-furfuryliden)-5-imidazolones were synthesized from the reaction of phosphorus oxychloride and the monosubstituted amides of-benzamido--(5-nitro-2-furyl)acrylic acid.Translated from Khimiko-Farmatsevticheskii Zhurnal, No. 2, pp. 21–27, February, 1967.     

Effects of indomethacin on changes in renal blood flow induced by adenosine and its analogues in conscious dogs

Summary The effects of indomethacin on changes in renal blood flow induced by adenosine, NECA (adenosine-5-N-ethyl-carboxamide) and 2,3-dinitro-NECA were investigated in 6 chronically instrumented conscious dogs. Adenosine (187.5, 375 and 750 nmol/kg, i.v.) induced a dose-dependent initial decrease, followed by a reactive increase in renal blood flow. NECA (1.5 nmol/kg, i.v.) also induced an initial decrease, which was, however, followed by a prolonged reactive increase in renal blood fow. 2,3-dinitro-NECA (50 nmol/kg, orally) induced only an increase in renal blood flow. Indomethacin (27.9 mol/kg, i.v.) caused no relevant change of the initial decrease and a significant attenuation of the reactive increase in renal blood flow induced by adenosine. NECA-induced changes in blood flow were affected by indomethacin in the same direction but to a greater extent than were adenosine-induced changes in blood flow. Indomethacin reversed the increase to a decrease in renal blood flow induced by 2,3-dinitro-NECA. Thus, prostaglandins seem to be involved in mediating the response of renal blood flow to adenosine, NECA and 2,3-dinitro-NECA.Part of this study was presented at the fall meeting of the German Pharmacological Society, September 1982 in Vienna, Austria     

Localization of Purine Metabolizing Enzymes in Bovine Brain Microvessel Endothelial Cells: An Enzymatic Blood-Brain Barrier for Dideoxynucleosides?

Purpose. The specific activities of the purine and pyrimidine metabolizing enzymes, purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), adenosine deaminase (ADA) and cytidine deaminase (CDA) were determined in bovine brain microvessel endothelial cells (BBMECs), whole cerebral tissue and erythrocytes. In addition, the substrate specificities (K_m and V_max) of purified calf spleen PNP for inosine and 2,3-dideoxyinosine (ddl) and of purified calf intestinal ADA for 2,3-dideoxyadenosine (ddA), 6-chloro-2,3-dideoxypurine (6-Cl-ddP), and 2--fluoro-2,3-dideoxyadenosine (F-ddA) have been explored. Methods. BBMECs were isolated from bovine cerebral cortex by a two step enzymatic dispersion treatment followed by centrifugation over 50% Percoll density gradients. Activities of alkaline phosphatase, -glutamyl transpeptidase, ADA, PNP and CDA were determined in various tissue homogenates (cerebral cortex, BBMECs and erythrocytes). Enzyme kinetic studies were also conducted using commercially available enzymes and several nucleoside analogs of interest. Results. The activities of ADA and PNP were 42-fold and 247-fold higher in the cerebral microvessels than in the cerebral cortex, respectively, while there was no detectable CDA activity in the microvessel fraction and very little overall activity in the cortex. Conclusions. ADA and PNP may serve as an enzymatic blood-brain barrier for some of the anti-HIV dideoxynucleosides. Simulations of brain availability for ddl, ddA, 6-Cl-ddP, and F-ddA demonstrated that the quantitative significance of enzyme localization may vary dramatically, however, depending on the membrane permeability of the drug and its bioconversion rate constant within the endothelial cell.     

Metabolism and presynaptic inhibitory activity of 2′,3′ and 5′-adenine nucleotides in rat vas deferens

Summary In the isolated rat vas deferens stimulated at 0.2 Hz, [¹⁴C]labelled 5-AMP, 5-ADP and 5-ATP (10 M) inhibited twitch responses, were broken down to [¹⁴C]adenosine in the medium and incorporated into [¹⁴C]adenine ribonucleotides in the tissue. Pretreatment of tissues with 6-(2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl)-thioguanosine (NBTGR), a potent inhibitor of adenosine transport, potentiated the presynaptic inhibitory action of these 5 nucleotides and reduced their incorporation in [¹⁴C]adenine nucleotides, but did not alter the appearance of [¹⁴C]adenosine in the medium.A series of 2, 3 and 5-substituted adenine nucleotides (10 M) inhibited the twitch responses of the vas deferens stimulated at 0.2 Hz. This effect was potentiated by NBTGR. Addition of exogenous adenosine deaminase very significantly reduced the inhibitory actions of adenosine, 5-AMP, 5-ADP and 5-ATP and also reduced those of 2, 5-ADP, NAD⁺ and dePCoA. The inhibitory actions of the other 2, 3 and 5 adenine nucleotides studied were not altered by exogenous adenosine deaminase.These results indicated that the presynaptic inhibitory actions of 5-AMP, 5-ADP and 5-ATP in rat vas deferens predominantly result from their prior hydrolysis to adenosine whereas the 2, 3 and 5-substituted adenine nucleotides appear to act mainly directly to inhibit transmitter release.Abbreviations. The following abbreviations are used 5-ADP 5-adenosine diphosphate - 2,5-ADP 2,5-adenosine diphosphate - 3,5-ADP 3,5-adenosine diphosphate - 2,3 or 5-AMP 2,3 or 5-adenosine monophosphate - 5-ATP 5-adenosine triphosphate - CoA coenzyme A - 2,3-cAMP 2,3-cyclic adenosine monophosphate - cNADP⁺ -nicotinamide dinucleotide 2,3-cyclic monophosphate - dePCoA dephosphocoenzyme A - NAD⁺ -nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide - NADP⁺ -nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate - NBTGR 6-(2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl)-thioguanosine - oxid CoA oxidized-coenzyme A     

Rat diaphragm cyclic nucleotide-phosphodiesterase: Influence of drugs affecting skeletal muscle contractility

Summary In the present study a phosphodiesterase was partly purified from rat diaphragm and its properties as well as the effects of some drugs known to affect neuromuscular transmission were examined.The enzyme preparation had a pH optimum of 7.0–8.0 As for phosphodiesterase of other organs, the activity was dependent on Mg²⁺ and mainly located in the 100 000×g supernatant. It showed two apparent K _m values (6.4 and 390 M) for the cyclic adenosine-3,5-monophosphate hydrolysis. Various drugs inhibited diaphragm phosphodiesterase non-competitively in the following order of potency: eupaverine papaverine > 1-hexyl-3,7-dimethylxanthine > Ro 7-2956 > theophylline > d-tubocurarine > hydrochlorothiazide. Succinylcholine was ineffective.Of the cyclic nucleotides tested here only cyclic guanosine-3,5-monophosphate elicited an inhibiton at low concentrations (K _i=7M), while cyclic inosine-3,5-monophosphate and cyclic N₆-2-O-dibutyryl-adenosine-3,5-monophosphate inhibited only in high concentrations. Cyclic uridine-3,5-monophosphate did not inhibit phosphodiesterase. The type of inhibition was apparently competitive for cyclic N₆-2-O-dibutyryl-adenosine-3,5-monophosphate and cyclic guanosine-3,5-monophosphate, and non-competitive for cyclic inosine-3,5-monophosphate.The present findings on phosphodiesterase inhibitors agree well with our earlier results on the ability of these drugs (except d-tubocurarine) to increase muscular contractility. It is suggested that their mode of action might be facilitation of the release of acetylcholine from motor nerve endings via the accumulation of cyclic adenosine-3,5-monophosphate.     

Cardiostimulatory effects of cyclic 3′,5′-adenosine monophosphate and its acylated derivatives

Summary The effects of cyclic 3,5-AMP and of two acylated derivatives, dibutyryl (DBA) and dihexanoyl-3,5-AMP (DHA) were investigated in isolated perfused hearts of guinea pigs, rats and rabbits.In guinea pig hearts, DBA (Ca- and Na-salt) and DHA-Na in high doses (10 moles) produced strong and long lasting increases in the rate and amplitude of contractions, coronary flow, and moderate increases in phosphorylase activity in the majority of experiments. The positive ino- and chronotropic effects occured 3–5 min after injection of the drug, mostly in a fluctuating manner with several maxima. Theophylline augmented the effects of DBA-Na and revealed positive inotropic actions of non substituted 3,5-AMP.In rat hearts, similar, but more pronounced and dose-dependent effects were observed after 1, 5 and 10 moles DBA-Na. Propranolol (50 g) did not block the action of 10 moles DBA-Na. Non substituted 3,5-AMP, 5-AMP and ATP in doses of 10 moles had no significant positive inotropic effects.In rabbit hearts, DBA-Na (50 moles) produced moderate, non fluctuating rises in the amplitude of contraction.The results provide evidence that under certain conditions cyclic 3, 5-AMP itself, like its acylated derivatives DBA and DHA, may produce strong and direct positive inotropic and chronotropic effects in the heart. These findings support the view that cyclic 3,5-AMP is the cellular mediator of the cardiostimulant actions of substances that increase its rate of production in the myocardial cell.The excellent technical help of Mrs. Vera Bauer is gratefully acknowledged by the authors.     

Dose-dependent excretion of DDE(1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene) in rats

Dose-dependent excretion of p,pDDE in rats was investigated. p,pDDE itself was the major excreta in rats. But some o,p'isomer of DDE was detected in feces by GC-MS analysis. The excretion of p,p'DDE after a single administration was modified by its dose level.The time pattern of p,pDDE excretion agrees well with the modified Hill equation. The value of the equilibrium constant (K) increases in proportion to time t after p,pDDE administration.Using the modified Hill equation and the linear K equation, the excretion rate of p,pDDE during the experimental time t can be estimated. The estimated p,pDDE excretion rate in feces agrees well with the measurements.     

Effects of N-chlorobenzyl analogues of amiloride on myocardial contractility,Na-Ca-exchange carrier and other cardiac enzymatic activities

Summary 1. In electrically driven guinea pig left atria, micromolar concentrations (2 mol/l to 80 mol/l) of N-chlorobenzyl derivatives of amiloride (o-chlorobenzamil and 3,4-dichlorobenzamil) produced quantitatively similar positive inotropic effects. Contracture developed with 3,4-dichlorobenzamil. Endogenously released catecholamines contributed 30% to the positive inotropic effect of ochlorobenzamil but did not contribute at all to the effect of 3,4-dichlorobenzamil. When tested in the presence of the inhibitor of phosphodiesterase isobutylmethylxanthine, ochlorobenzamil antagonized its positive inotropic effect, whereas 3,4-dichlorobenzamil potentiated it. o-Chlorobenzamil also antagonized the positive inotropic effect of ouabain in that it shifted its concentration-effect curve to the right. Moreover, o-chlorobenzamil prevented the appearance of ouabain toxicity in terms of a rise in the resting force. 2. Also, in electrically driven guinea pig papillary muscle, micromolar concentrations (5 mol/l to 30 mol/l) of both N-chlorobenzyl derivatives of amiloride produced a positive inotropic effect. This effect was more marked with 3,4-dichlorobenzamil than with o-chlorobenzamil and was associated for both compounds with lengthening of relaxation time. 3. o-Chlorobenzamil and 3,4-dichlorobenzamil influenced, though not to the same extent, several systems involved in the onset and in the control of cardiac contractility. 3,4-Dichlorobenzamil inhibited with the same potency Na-K-ATPase, sarcotubular Ca-ATPase, Na-Ca-exchange carrier, cAMP-dependent phosphodiesterase isolated from bovine heart and oxidative phosphorylation of mitochondria isolated from rat liver. Low micromolar concentrations of o-chlorobenzamil mainly inhibited Na-Ca-exchange carrier and cAMP-dependent phosphodiesterase. 4. The results suggest that 3,4-dichlorobenzamil is a quite unspecific compound and its cardiac effects are the result of an interference with several enzymatic and transport systems. In contrast, both the inhibition of the Na-Ca-exchange carrier and cAMP-dependent phosphodiesterase can contribute to the increase in the force of contraction induced by o-chlorobenzamil. Finally, the antagonism of o-chlorobenzamil against the cardiac effects of ouabain can be explained by the inhibition of the Na-Ca-exchange carrier. Send offprint requests to M. Floreani     

Human urinary excretion of doxifluridine and metabolites during a 5-day chemotherapeutic schedule using fluorine-19 nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry

The urinary excretion of doxifluridine (5 dFUrd) and its metabolites was determined during five days of chemotherapy using fluorine-19 nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry. The daily urinary excretion of 5 dFUrd and its metabolites was high (-100% of the 5 dFUrd administered) and nearly constant through out the treatment. By far the major excreted compounds were unchanged 5 dFUrd and -fluoro--alanine which made up respectively -40% and -50% of the total. Neither accumulation of 5 dFUrd nor significant modifications in its metabolism were observed during the treatment.     

Metabolism of3H-digoxin and some acetyl-digoxins: Time-dependent formation of hydrophilic metabolites after oral application in man

Summary After oral administration of³H-digoxin,³H-(= 16)-acetyldigoxin,³H-(=15)-acetyldigoxin and³H-(15,16)-diacetyldigoxin water-soluble metabolites have been found in the urine of three persons. A maximum is reached after 4–5 h. These metabolites are very polar and are not identical with neither digoxigenin nor with its mono- and bis-digitoxosides.     

The Solution Conformations of Lidocaine Analogues

IR and ¹H NMR studies in CDCl₃ and CCl₄ of a series of tertiary aminoxylidides with the amino group in the 2 to 6 position of the acyl chain are described. Lidocaine, diethylaminoaceto-2,6-xylidide, forms an intramolecular five-membered ring hydrogen-bonded monomer at all concentrations in both solvents. -Diethyl-amino-propiono-2,6-xylidide forms an intramolecular six-membered ring hydrogen-bonded monomer in CDCl₃ and CCl₄ but a trans intermolecularly associated species is the major form present at high concentrations in CCl₄. The longer-chain homologues are mixtures of nonassociated trans and cis monomers at low concentrations but associated trans forms predominate at high concentrations. Evidence for the presence of a hydrogen-bonded seven-membered ring intramolecular monomer in CDCl₃ for -diethylaminobutyro-2,6-xylidide is presented. The relationship between the molecular conformation and the partition coefficient is discussed.     

Further evidence for the participation of 5β-steroids in the development of a porphyria induced by hexachlorobenzene

Adult female rats were fed with a diet containing hexachlorobenzene to induce a porphyria. 5/5-ratios of androstane steroids in blood were 0.61 ± 0.13 in porphyric rats and 1.05 ± 0.35 in normal rats. Etiocholanolone treatment of rats was ineffective in generation of a porphyria. The activity of microsomal glucuronyltransferase increased from 0.20 ± 0.04 mU/mg to 0.77 ± 0.23 mU/mg by this treatment. Administration of Flutamide (4-nitro-3-trifluoromethylisobutyranilide) to porphyric rats resulted in a decline of porphyrin excretion by 55%. The hepatic NADH-5-reductase was strongly inhibited by this drug, whereas NADPH-5-reductase displayed a slightly increased activity. These findings are further evidence for the involvement of 5-steroids in the formation of porphyria.Abbrevation HCB Hexachlorobenzene The results presented are part of C. Tyrell's doctoral thesis     

Rat adrenal cyclic nucleotide-phosphodiesterase; Inhibition by drugs known to affect steroidogenesis

Summary A cyclic 3,5-nucleotide phosphodiesterase from rat adrenals was partially purified. The enzyme preparation had a pH optimum at 7.5, the activity being dependent on Mg²⁺, similar to the enzyme in other organs. Adenosine 3,5-monophosphate, guanosine 3,5-monophosphate and inosine 3,5-monophosphate were about equally well degradated (K _m 0.1 mM), while 2-O-deoxy-adenosine 3,5-monophosphate and tubercidin 3,5-monophosphate had a considerably higher K _m. In contrast to rat adipose tissue, rat adrenal phosphodiesterase did not hydrolyse uridine 3,5-monophosphate. Adrenal phosphodiesterase was inhibited competitively by methylxanthines, papaverine and eupaverin, eupaverin being the most potent inhibitor. Adenosine, its phenylisopropyl-analogue and metabolic products of adenosine inhibited adrenal phosphodiesterase, but were considerably less potent than methylxanthines or papaverine. All inhibitors tested are able to affect either spontaneous and/or stimulated synthesis of corticosteroids in rat adrenals as shown elsewhere. The data obtained with adrenal phosphodiesterase do not allow the conclusion that inhibition of this enzyme can be correlated with effects on steroidogenesis.Part of this work has been presented at the 12. Frühjahrstagung der Deutschen Pharmakologischen Gesellschaft (Klotz et al., 1971).     

Antitumor Agents. 125. New 4β-Benzoylamino Derivatives of 4′-O-Demethyl-4-desoxypodophyllotoxin and 4β-Benzoyl Derivatives of 4′-O-Demethylpodophyllotoxin as Potent Inhibitors of Human DNA Topoisomerase II

A series of 4-benzoylamino (5-17) derivatives of 4-O-demethyl-4-desoxypodophyllotoxin and 4-benzoyl (18-20) derivatives of 4-O-demethyl podophyllotoxin have been synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activity against the human DNA topoisomerase II as well as for their activity in causing cellular protein-linked DNA breakage. Compounds 5-13 and 15-17 are more potent than etoposide in causing DNA breakage, while compounds 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, and 20 are more active than etoposide in their inhibition of the human DNA topoisomerase II. The order for the enzyme inhibitory activity of the derivatives of 4-O-demethyl-4-desoxypodophyllotoxin is 4-arylamino > 4-benzylamino > 4-benzoylamino.     

Constituents of Laurus nobilis L. inhibit recombinant human lanosterol synthase

Extracts from 37 kinds of foods and foodstuffs were tested for inhibitory activity against recombinant human lanosterol synthase. Among them, extracts from five samples showed significant inhibition. Potent activity (55%) was found in 95% ethanol extract of Laurus nobilis L. Therefore, large-scale methanol extraction of the plant was carried out, and the constituents were separated by partition and fractionation by silica gel chromatography and HPLC. Four flavonoids, kaemperol 3-O-[2,4-O-di-E-p-coumaroyl--l-pyranorhamnoside] (1); 3,3,4,5,6,7,8-heptamethoxyflavone (2); 3,4,5,6,7,8-hexamethoxyflavone (nobiletin) (3); and 4,5,6,7,8-pentamethoxyflavone (tangeretin) (4); and six sesquiterpens, eremanthine (5), dehydrocostus lactone (6), costunolide (7), zaluzanin C (8), zaluzanin D (9) and reynosin (10) were isolated. Eremanthine (5) showed the most potent activity, 70% inhibition, at the concentration of 500 M.