Evaluation of the natriuretic and beta-adrenoceptor-blocking effects of tienoxolol in normal volunteers

Anti-inflammatory effects of vinpocetine in atherosclerosis and ischemic stroke: a review of the literature

Immune responses play an important role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and ischemic stroke. Atherosclerosis is a common condition that increases the risk of stroke. Hyperlipidemia damages endothelial cells, thus initiating chemokine pathways and the release of inflammatory cytokines—this represents the first step in the inflammatory response to atherosclerosis. Blocking blood flow in the brain leads to ischemic stroke, and deprives neurons of oxygen and energy. Damaged neurons release danger-associated molecular patterns, which promote the activation of innate immune cells and the release of inflammatory cytokines. The nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells κB (NF-κB) pathway plays a key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and ischemic stroke. Vinpocetine is believed to be a potent anti-inflammatory agent and has been used to treat cerebrovascular disorders. Vinpocetine improves neuronal plasticity and reduces the release of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines from endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, macrophages, and microglia, by inhibiting the inhibitor of the NF-κB pathway. This review clarifies the anti-inflammatory role of vinpocetine in atherosclerosis and ischemic stroke.

Crystal structure and solid-state studies of aged samples of tienoxolol, an API designed against hypertension

Aging of drug molecules is generally studied following regulatory procedures, i.e. under forced conditions and for relatively limited storage time; therefore naturally aged samples are rare and provide scientific reference data beyond regulatory considerations. Tienoxolol was studied after 25 years of storage in the dark under ambient conditions. About 86% of the samples still consisted of tienoxolol and the main impurity (13%) was caused by the hydrolysis of the ester moiety. Protection from humidity is therefore important. Other sensitive groups containing nitrogen and sulfur appear to be quite stable with less than 0.8% conversion over 25 years. In addition, the crystal structure has been solved. Tienoxolol orange needles were found to crystallize in the orthorhombic non-centrosymmetric space group Iba2, indicating that the crystal is a racemic compound. The unit cell parameters at room temperature are a=10.069(5)Å, b=45.831(10)Å, and c=9.822(5)Å and the unit cell volume is 4533(3)Å(3) with Z=8.

Effect of tienoxolol, a new diuretic beta-blocking agent, on urinary prostaglandin excretion in the rat

1. The effects of tienoxolol, (ethyl 2-[3-[(1,1-dimethylethyl)amino]-2-hydroxypropoxy]-5- [(2-thienylcarbonyl) amino] benzoate, hydrochloride), a novel drug exhibiting both diuretic and beta-adrenoceptor blocking properties, were investigated on urinary 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha) and PGE2 excretion in the rat and compared to those of reference diuretic (furosemide) and beta-adrenoceptor antagonists (acebutolol, propranolol). Since tienoxolol was shown to bind to A1 and A2 adenosine receptors, the action of theophylline was also evaluated. 2. Tienoxolol (8-128 mg kg-1, p.o.) induced a dose-related increase of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha excretion from 32 mg kg-1 but a significant elevation of urinary PGE2 levels was only reached after administration of 128 mg kg-1. However, renal prostaglandin concentrations were not modified by tienoxolol. 3. Furosemide (32 mg kg-1) displayed a strong diuretic activity but did not enhance 6-keto-PGF1 alpha excretion. Likewise, the latter was unaffected by acebutolol and propranolol (128 mg kg-1) and no significant diuresis was observed following administration of these two beta-blocking agents. Theophylline (64 mg kg-1), like tienoxolol, was able to induce both diuresis and urinary prostaglandin excretion. Furthermore, they bound with similar affinities to A1 and A2 adenosine receptors. This led to the suggestion that a relationship between P1-purinoceptors, prostaglandin release, diuresis and natriuresis could exist. 4. Oral co-administration of NECA (0.2 mg kg-1) with tienoxolol markedly reduced the urinary 6-keto-PGF1 alpha excretion observed when tienoxolol was administered alone. However, neither diuresis nor natriuresis were modified, demonstrating that the proposed relationship was untenable. 5. In conclusion, PGI2 probably does not participate in the diuretic and natriuretic activity oftienoxolol. The increase of urinary 6-keto-PGF1alpha excretion may result not only from the haemodynamic properties of the drug but also from the rise of the urinary flow induced by tienoxolol.