PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF TWO NOVEL ANALOGUES OF MIANSERIN: 2-N-CARBOXAMIDINONORMIANSERIN(FCC5) AND 2-N-CARBOXAMIDONORMIANSERIN (FCC13)

1. The pharmacological properties have been examined of FCC5 (2-N-carboxamidinonormianserin) and FCC13 (2-N-carboxamidonormianserin), two novel analogues of mianserin. 2. FCC5 or FCC13 (100 micrograms/kg, i.v.) caused long-lasting (greater than 1 h) abolition of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and histamine-induced bronchoconstriction in the anaesthetized guinea-pig. Both analogues had no effect (up to 1 mg/kg, i.v.) on bronchoconstriction caused by acetylcholine (25-50 micrograms/kg, i.v.). 3. The pressor effects of 5-HT in pithed rats were significantly attenuated by FCC5 (0.1 mg/kg, i.v.) or FCC13 (0.5 mg/kg, i.v.). 4. Oedema in the rat hind paw caused by intraplantar 5-HT was inhibited by FCC5 (ID50 0.76 mg/kg, i.p.; 2.7 mg/kg, p.o.) or FCC13 (ID50 0.65 mg/kg, i.p.; 5.8 mg/kg, p.o.). 5. In the central nervous system (CNS), FCC13 caused antagonism of 5-HT activity. It inhibited: (i) L-5-hydroxytryptophan (L-5-HTP)-induced head twitches in mice (ID50 1.85 mg/kg, i.p.), (ii) fenfluramine-induced facilitation of flexor reflex activity (FRA) in spinalized decerebrate rats (SDR) (IC50 0.57 mg/kg, i.p.). 6. FCC5 (less than or equal to 30 mg/kg, i.p. and less than or equal to 3 mg/kg, i.p., respectively) had no effect in either test. In contrast to mianserin, it also had no overt central actions as (less than or equal to 30 mg/kg, i.p.) had no effect on: (i) morphine-induced catalepsy (MIC) or (ii) clonidine-induced facilitation of FRA in SDR. However, high doses of FCC13 inhibited MIC (ID50 20 mg/kg, i.p.), but had no effect on (ii) (less than or equal to 10 mg/kg, i.p.). 7. Thus, FCC5 and FCC13 are potent, orally active H1 and 5-HT receptor antagonists. However, in contrast to FCC13 and mianserin, FCC5 did not cause CNS-mediated effects.