Inventors:
Ronald W. Wood - Nyack NY
John F. Graefe - Greenwood Lake NY
Lung C. Chen - Upper Saddle River NJ
Jalil Shojaie - Tuxedo NY
Assignee:
University of Rochester - Rochester NY
International Classification:
C07D21320
A61K 3144
Abstract:
Methylecgonidine (MEG; anhydroecgonine methylester), is produced when cocaine base ("crack") is heated. MEG alone and in combination with cocaine was tested for action on isolated tracheal rings stimulated to contact with acetylcholine. At micromolar concentrations, cocaine sensitized tracheal rings, increasing both the potency and efficacy of acetylcholine-induced contraction. Surprisingly, MEG, at nanomolar concentrations and above, non-competitively and irreversibly antagonized acetylcholine-induced contraction independently of the actions of cocaine. MEG also displayed antihistaminic activity. Therefore, MEG and anticholinergically active derivatives or analogues thereof are useful in the prevention or treatment of a disease or disorder treatable by an antimuscarinic anticholinergic agent, an anti-histaminic agent or a spasmolytic agent, in particular bronchoconstriction in a number of pulmonary diseases such as asthma.