Assessment of the in vivo and in vitro opioid activity of bridged hexahydroaporphine and isoquinoline molecules

J Med Chem. 1990 Jan;33(1):245-8. doi: 10.1021/jm00163a040.

Abstract

Four novel racemic bridged hexahydroaporphine (1 and 2) and isoquinoline (3 and 4) analogues have been synthesized in an attempt to generate bicyclic derivatives of the morphinan ring system. The opioid activity of these analogues has been assessed through membrane-binding studies, in vitro studies in isolated guinea pig ileum and mouse vas deferens, and in vivo studies utilizing the mouse hot plate technique. The bridged isoquinoline precursor molecules were inactive as antinociceptives. Both the racemic phenolic hexahydroaporphine 1 and its 10-methoxy congener 2 demonstrated dose-dependent, albeit weak, antinociceptive activity when administered icv, but they induced lethal convulsions when given subcutaneously. The antinociception elicited by 1 appeared to show very weak opioid character while that caused by 2 was totally nonopioid.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Analgesia
  • Animals
  • Aporphines / chemical synthesis
  • Aporphines / metabolism
  • Aporphines / pharmacology*
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Bridged-Ring Compounds / chemical synthesis
  • Bridged-Ring Compounds / metabolism
  • Bridged-Ring Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Chemical Phenomena
  • Chemistry
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Ileum / drug effects
  • Ileum / physiology
  • Isoquinolines / chemical synthesis
  • Isoquinolines / metabolism
  • Isoquinolines / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Molecular Structure
  • Muscle Contraction
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Receptors, Opioid / metabolism*
  • Vas Deferens / drug effects
  • Vas Deferens / physiology

Substances

  • Aporphines
  • Bridged-Ring Compounds
  • Isoquinolines
  • Receptors, Opioid