A PHARMACOLOGIC AND TOXICOLOGIC STUDY OF A NEW SERIES OF ANTISPASMODIC COMPOUNDS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO STRUCTURE AND PHARMACOLOGIC ACTIVITY

¹ Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine and Hynson, Westcott & Dunning, Inc., Baltimore, Maryland

A new series of compounds which demonstrate a remarkable inhibitory effect upon gastrointestinal activity has been synthesized and studied. The compounds are ethers of dialkylethanolamines.

The inhibition of gastrointestinal action is not mediated through anticholinergic activity. Their apparent direct action upon the smooth muscle cells of the intestine would likely eliminate the untoward side effects so frequently attending the use of the anticholinergic drugs.

Certain members of the series exhibit an inhibitory effect upon gastric activity and do not affect intestinal motility.

These observations suggest the usefulness of selected members of this series of amino ethers in the treatment of hypermotility of the gastrointestinal tract.

Other pharmacologic activities not directly related to the gastrointestinal tract by certain members of the series have been noted. These are being evaluated and will be reported in subsequent publications.