A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF TWENTY-FIVE ALKYLTHIOBENZOATES WITH RESPECT TO SURFACE ANESTHESIA, TOXICITY AND SYSTEMIC EFFECTS

¹ From the Department of Pharmacology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana

1. Twenty-five alkylthiobenzoates were studied for surface anesthetic activity, toxicity, irritation, and systemic effects.

2. All were found to possess some surface anesthetic activity, but only one appears to be deserving of further study.

3. All of these compounds produce profound disturbances of central nervous system function and have more effect on respiration than on cardiovascular function.

4. The only consistent correlation between chemical structure and pharmacologic activity was increase in toxicity with increase in molecular weight. This was most marked when the addition was made between the carboxy group and the amino nitrogen.

5. Alkylthio derivatives of benzoic acid esters are less active and appear to be less toxic than analogous alkoxy compounds.