title: N(alpha)-imidazolylalkyl and pyridylalkyl derivatives of histaprodifen: synthesis and in vitro evaluation of highly potent histamine H(1)-receptor agonists.
abstract: A novel series of N(alpha)()-imidazolylalkyl and pyridylalkyl derivatives of histaprodifen (6, 2-[2-(3,3-diphenylpropyl)imidazol-4-yl]ethanamine) was synthesized and evaluated as histamine H(1)-receptor agonists. The title compounds displayed partial agonism at contractile H(1)-receptors of guinea pig ileum and were at least equipotent with histamine. Agonist effects of the new derivatives were susceptible to blockade by the H(1)-receptor antagonist mepyramine (2-100 nM). In the imidazole series, suprahistaprodifen (51, [2-[2-(3,3-diphenylpropyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]ethyl]-[2-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]amine, N(alpha)-2-[(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]histaprodifen) showed the highest H(1)-receptor agonist potency ever reported in the literature (pEC(50) 8.26, efficacy E(max) 96%). Elongation of the alkyl spacer from ethyl to butyl decreased activity from 3630% (ethyl, 51) to 163% (butyl, 53) of histamine potency. The exchange of the terminal imidazole nucleus for a pyridine ring resulted in compounds with comparably high potency. A decrease in agonist potency and efficacy was observed when the attachment of the alkyl spacer was consecutively changed from the ortho to the meta and the para position, respectively, of the pyridine ring. The pyridine series that contained a butyl chain possessed the highest potency and affinity. N(alpha)-[4-(2-pyridyl)butyl]histaprodifen (56) emerged as a strong partial agonist, being almost equipotent with 51 (pEC(50) 8.16, E(max) 89%). Compounds 51 and 56 also showed potent partial agonism at contractile H(1) receptors in guinea pig aorta and potently activated H(1)-receptor-mediated endothelium-dependent relaxation in the rat aorta. Compounds 51-65 displayed low to moderate affinity at H(2), H(3), and M(3) receptors in functional models of guinea pig. Collectively, N(alpha)-imidazolylalkyl- and N(alpha)-pyridylalkyl-substituted histaprodifens represent a novel class of potent H(1)-receptor agonists. These compounds may be useful to define the (patho)physiological role of the H(1)-receptor and refine molecular models of H(1)-receptor activation.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Pharmazie, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Strasse 2+4, D-14195 Berlin (Dahlem), Germany.
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Menghin
authors.forename: Heinz H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Pertz
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Seifert
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schunack
authors.forename: Sigurd
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Elz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006632:Histamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D017442:Histamine Agonists / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D007082:Ileum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011725:Pyridines / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011969:Receptors, Histamine H1 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D017442:Histamine Agonists; D007093:Imidazoles; D011725:Pyridines; D011969:Receptors, Histamine H1; C118994:histaprodifen; D006632:Histamine