THE ACTION OF SOME DERIVATIVES OF BETA-ERYTHROIDINE ON PERIPHERAL NEURO-EFFECTOR SYSTEMS

¹ The Univeisity of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Surgery, Division of Orthopedics and Department of Radiation Biology, Division of Pharmacology

The action of beta-erythroidine and 24 derivatives of known structure has been tested on neuromuscular and ganglionic transmission using mice, rats and cats. Compounds retaining the spiro-tertiary-carbinamino group showed both neuromuscular and ganglionic blocking action. In general, the alkaloids as tertiary amines were more active at motor endplates and the methiodide

salts were more active at ganglia. Available data suggest that these compounds fall in the group of competitive neuromuscular blocking agents.

Hydrogenation increased potency but other structural modifications reduced activity.

Desmethoxy-beta-erythroidine could be shown to possess ganglionic and neuromuscular blocking action but in intact animals its outstanding action was to cause clonic convulsions eiiding in death in tonic extensor seizures.

Apo-beta-erythroidine and related compounds without the spiro-carbon configuration were devoid of neuromuscular blocking action, but showed central nervous system depressant and gamiglionic depressant action.

Apo-beta-erythroidine methiodide was a neuromuscular and ganglionic blocking agent. Its neuromuscular effect appears to be a mixture of depolarizimig and competitive activity.