Abstract

A pharmacological and toxicological study of the new compound benzyl mandelate was made. It was found that this compound is of comparatively low toxicity on the one hand and is pharmacologically effective on the other hand. The most important pharmacological action of the drug is on smooth muscle. Benzyl mandelate produces a marked relaxation of all such preparations especially after they have been brought into a state of tonic or marked contraction. In view of the antispasmodic pharmacological properties of both the alkyl and acid components of the molecule a greater antispasmodic effect is produced by the compound than by other benzyl esters. This fact taken together with the lack of disagreeable taste of benzyl mandelate gives promise of its having considerable therapeutic interest.