VANILLYL-ETHYLAMINE, VANILLYL-METHYLAMINE AND BENZYL-VANILLYLETHYLAMINE; THE RELATION OF CHEMICAL STRUCTURE TO PHARMACOLOGIC ACTION

¹ From the Department of Pharmacology of Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio

Vanillyl-ethylamine, vanillyl-methylamine, and benzyl-vanillyl-ethylamine, three amine derivatives of vanillin related to tyramine and to catechol-ethylamine have been studied pharmacologically and the relation of their actions to their chemical structures discussed.

The ethylamine is essentially augmentor to blood pressure in cats and dogs but less so than tyramine. The methylamine produces a mixed weak pressor-depressor effect depending upon dosage. The benzyl compound is strongly depressor.

On isolated smooth muscle organs the ethylamine and methylamine are both predominantly and equally stimulant. Benzylvanillyl-ethylamine is definitely depressant without any indications of stimulation.

This depressant action is probably due to the introduction of the benzyl group into the para-hydroxyl radicle of vanillyl-ethylamine; i. e., etherification.

The studies indicate that aromatic ether derivatives are less effective circulatory stimulants than are their hydroxy homologs. This corroborates Koller's findings with ethers of ephedrine.