title: Novel hypotensive agents from Verbesina caracasana. 2. Synthesis and pharmacology of caracasanamide.
abstract: Caracasanamide, one of the hypotensive agents isolated from Verbesina caracasana, is a mixture of (Z)-1a and (E)-1b forms of 1-[(3,4-dimethoxycinnamoyl)amino]-4- [(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-guanidino]butane. The structure of (E)-caracasanamide (1b) was confirmed by high-yielding synthesis starting from N,N'-bis(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-S-methylisothiourea. The water-soluble Z-form of 1a, assayed by i.v. route in anesthetized rats at doses ranging from 50 to 1600 micrograms/kg body weight, was found to decrease blood pressure, to increase cardiac inotropism, respiratory frequency, and tidal volume, and to induce a very slight and not significant tachycardia. Higher doses determined respiratory depression and, in some cases, consequent cardiac arrest. The compound was shown to affect cardiovascular function by acting at the vascular level in inducing arterial vasodilation, by determining sympathetic hypotone through central neurogenic mechanisms, and by interacting with the cardiac beta 1-adrenoreceptors. The respiratory effects were independent of the cardiovascular ones. In lowering blood pressure, the compound was more potent than guanethidine and not less potent than reserpine and papaverine. (Z)-Caracasanamide may therefore be useful in the treatment of arterial hypertension of moderate degree.
authors.affiliation: Centro Chimica dei Recettori, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Delle Monache
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Botta
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Delle Monache
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Espinal
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: De Bonnevaux
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Luca
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Botta
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Corelli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carmignani
mesh_terms: D000215:Acylation; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects*; D002934:Cinnamates / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006146:Guanidines / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006868:Hydrolysis; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry*; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002934:Cinnamates; D006146:Guanidines; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; C083598:caracasanamide