Investigations on the chemistry of berbanes. 10. Synthesis of raunescinone analogues with hypotensive and antihypertensive activity

The pharmacologically active (methylenedioxy)- and diethoxyepialloberbane keto esters I have been synthesized with use of the readily available keto esters 2 as starting material. By choice of the appropriate reaction sequence both antipodes of keto ester 2a can be employed to provide any enantiomer of the desired raunescinone analogue 1a. Hypotensive, antihypertensive, and central depressant effects of 1a are described. The principle effect observed for 1a was a potent hypotensive and antihypertensive effect of long duration without depression of the central nervous system.

Pharmacodynamic investigation of (+/-)-salutaridine

The alkaloid 5,6,8,14-tetradehydro-4-hydroxy-3, 6-dimethoxy-17-methyl-morphinan-7-one[+/-)-salutaridine) was found to possess 3H-gamma-aminobutyric acid (3H-GABA) displacing activity (IC50 less than 1 mumol/l) in rat brain synaptic membranes. The enhancement of specific 3H-diazepam binding by increasing concentration of (+/-)-salutaridine follows a maximum curve indicating (+/-)-salutaridine to be a partial agonist at the GABA/benzodiazepine receptor complex.

Studies on the Synthesis of Morphine VI*

Experiments to find a biomimetic route for synthesizing morphine are summarized. Systematic investigations on the phenolic oxidative coupling have been revised and evaluated.