1-arylsulphonyl-2-pyrrolidinethione or 1-arylsulphonyl-2-piperidinethione derivatives, process for the preparation thereof their application as medicinal products and compositions containing them

Abstract

The invention relates to the products of formula ##STR1## in which R represents the radical ##STR2## in which R.sub.1 at any position on the benzene ring represents a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl containing up to 8 carbon atoms, or the radical ##STR3## in which R.sub.2 and R.sub.3, which may be identical or different, represent a hydrogen atom or a linear alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl containing up to 8 carbon atoms or form, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, a carbonaceous heterocyclic radical optionally containing another hetero form, or the radical OR', R' representing hydrogen, a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl radical containing up to 8 carbon atoms or an aryl radical containing up to 14 carbon atoms, or the radical SR.sub.4 or S(O)R.sub.5, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 representing a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl containing up to 8 carbon atoms, or R represents naphthyl optionally substituted with a radical R'.sub.1, R'.sub.1 having one of the definitions stated above for R.sub.1, and n represents the number 1 or number 2, to a process for the preparation thereof, to their application as medicinal products and to compositions containing them.

Description

The present invention relates to new 1-arylsulphonyl-2-pyrrolidinethione or 1-arylsulphonyl-2-piperidinethione derivatives, to a process for the preparation thereof, to their application as medicinal products and to compositions containing them.

The subject of the invention is the compounds of formula (I): ##STR4## in which R represents the radical ##STR5## in which R.sub.1 at any position on the benzene ring represents a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl containing up to 8 carbon atoms, or the radical ##STR6## in which R.sub.2 and R.sub.3, which may be identical or different, represent a hydrogen atom or a linear alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl containing up to 8 carbon atoms or form, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, a carbonaceous heterocyclic radical optionally containing another hetero atom, or the radical OR', R' representing hydrogen, a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl radical containing up to 8 carbon atoms or an aryl radical containing up to 14 carbon atoms, or the radical SR.sub.4 or S(O)R.sub.5, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 representing a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl containing up to 8 carbon atoms, or R represents naphthyl optionally substituted with a radical R'.sub.1, R'.sub.1 having one of the definitions stated above for R.sub.1, and n represents the number 1 or number 2.

Alkyl is preferably alkyl containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, for example a methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl radical.

Alkenyl is preferably ethenyl, propenyl or butenyl.

Aryl is preferably phenyl or naphthyl.

When R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 form, with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, a heterocyclic radical optionally containing another hetero atom, the radical in question is preferably piperidyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, pyrrolidinyl or hexahydroazepinyl.

Among preferred compounds of the invention, there may be mentioned the compounds in which R represents the radical ##STR7## R.sub.1 having the same meaning as above, those in which the radical R.sub.1 is at the 4-position, those in which R.sub.1 represents a linear or branched alkyl containing up to 8 carbon atoms, and in particular tert-butyl, those in which R.sub.1 represents the radical ##STR8## in which R'.sub.2 and R'.sub.3 represent a linear or branched alkyl containing up to 8 carbon atoms or form, with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, the heterocyclic radical, or alternatively those in which R.sub.1 represents a radical SR.sub.4, R.sub.4 representing a linear or branched alkyl radical containing up to 4 carbon atoms, and in particular methyl.

The subject of the invention is more especially the products whose preparation is given below in the Examples, namely the products of Examples 1 to 6.

The compounds of formula (I) display advantageous pharmacological properties, and in particular a specific and selective antimuscarinic activity.

The subject of the invention is hence the products of formula (I) as medicinal products useful, in particular, for the antispasmodic treatment of muscle spasms in gastroenterology, in gynecology, in obstetrics, in urology, in hepatology and in radiology.

The subject of the invention is more especially, as a medicinal product, the preferred compounds mentioned above, namely the products of Examples 1 to 6.

The usual dosage is variable according to the condition in question, the subject treated and the administration route; it can be between 10 mg and 1 g per day, and preferably between 20 mg and 100 mg per day, for example between 30 and 60 mg per day in one or more doses for the product of Example 1 administered orally.

The subject of the present invention is also pharmaceutical compositions containing, as active principle, at least one product of formula (I). The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention can be solid or liquid, and be presented in the pharmaceutical dosage forms commonly used in human medicine, such as, for example, simple or sugar-coated tablets, hard gelatin capsules, granules, suppositories or injectable preparations; they are prepared according to the usual methods.

The active principle or principles may be incorporated therein with excipients customarily employed in these pharmaceutical compositions, such as talc, gum arabic, lactose, starch, magnesium stearate, cocoa butter, aqueous or non-aqueous vehicles, fats of animal or vegetable origin, paraffinic derivatives, glycols, various wetting, dispersant or emulsifying agents and preservatives.

The subject of the invention is also a process for preparing compounds of formula (I), characterized in that a compound of formula (II): ##STR9## in which n and R have their meaning above, is subjected to the action of an agent capable of converting a carbonyl radical to a thiocarbonyl radical, to obtain the corresponding compounds of formula (I).

As an agent capable of converting a carbonyl radical to a thiocarbonyl radical, there may be mentioned the LAWESSON reagent of formula: ##STR10## [See TETRAHEDRON LETTERS 41, 2567 (1985) or TETRAHEDRON LETTERS 41, 5061 (1985).] It is also possible to use other thionating reagents such as P.sub.2 S.sub.5, P.sub.2 S.sub.5 /piperidine, P.sub.2 S.sub.5 /TEA, P.sub.2 S.sub.5 /NaHCO.sub.3 or PCl.sub.5 /Alk.sub.2 S.sub.3 /Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4.

The products of formula (II) in which n represents the number 1 are described and claimed in the European Patent Application published under No. 0 033 578 and entitled "Nouveaux derives de la 1-aryl 2-pyrrolidinone, leur procede de preparation et les nouveaux intermediaires ainsi obtenus, leur application comme medicaments et les compositions les renfermant" (New 1-aryl-2-pyrrolidinone derivatives, process for preparation thereof and the new intermediates thereby obtained, their application as medicinal products and compositions containing them.)

The compounds of formula (II) in which n represents the number 2 are described and claimed in Italian Patent Application No. 19543-A/89, filed by an associate company of the present assignee and entitled: "Nouveaux derives de la 1-arylsulfonyl 2-piperidone, leur procede de preparation et leur application comme medicaments." (New 1-arylsulphonyl-2-piperidone derivatives, process for preparation thereof and their application as medicinal products.)

They may be prepared according to a process which is characterized in that a compound of formula (II.sub.A):

R--SO.sub.2 --Hal (II.sub.A) in which Hal represents chlorine or bromine and R retains the meaning stated above, is subjected to the action of 5-aminovaleric acid (III.sub.A): ##STR11## to obtain a compound of formula (IV.sub.A): ##STR12## which is cyclized to obtain the corresponding product of formula (II) in which n represents the number 2.

In a preferred embodiment of the process of the invention:

the condensation of the compound (II.sub.A) with 5-amino-valeric acid is carried out under classical Schotten-Baumann conditions, in the presence of a base such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide for example in an organic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran.

The cyclization of the compound of formula (IV.sub.A) is carried out by means of an acid anhydride such as acetic anhydride, or alternatively by means of other condensing agents such as sulphuric acid, phosphoric anhydride, phosphoric acid, metaphosphoric acid, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide in the presence of pyridine or bis(trimethylsilyl)amine with trimethylsilyl chloride.

The compounds of formula (II.sub.A) used as starting materials are, generally speaking, known [see Houben Weyl, 4th ed., vol. 9, Ch 18 (1955)].

The examples which follow illustrate the invention without, however, limiting the latter.

EXAMPLE 1

1-[4-(Diethylamino)benzenesulphonyl]-2-pyrrolidinethione

A mixture comprising 9 g of 1-[4-(diethylamino)benzenesulphonyl]-2-pyrrolidinone, prepared as in Example 2 of the European Patent published under No. 0,033,578, and 6.15 g of Lawesson reagent (or 2,4-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,2,4-dithiadiphosphetane 2,4-disulphide) in 180 cm.sup.3 of toluene is heated to reflux for 1 hour. The mixture is allowed to return to room temperature and is evaporated to dryness, the residue is taken up in 200 cm.sup.3 of chloroform and the resulting mixture is dried, filtered on celite and evaporated to dryness. 3.6 g of crude product (m.p. 170.degree.-180.degree. C.) are recovered, which product is chromatographed on silica (eluant: ethyl acetate/n-hexane, 2:1) and the residue is then crystallized in ethanol. 2.4 g of expected product are obtained. M.p. 183.degree.-184.degree. C.

Analysis: C.sub.14 H.sub.20 N.sub.2 O.sub.2 S.sub.2 Calculated: C % 53.81, H % 6.45, N % 8.97. Found: C % 54.03, H % 6.38, N % 9.02.

EXAMPLE 2

1-[4-(diethylamino)benzenesulphonyl]-2-piperidinethione

A suspension comprising 5.5 g of 1-[4-(diethylamino)benzenesulphonyl]-2-piperidinone and 3.74 g of Lawesson reagent in 80 cm.sup.3 of ethylene glycol dimethyl ether is heated to reflux for 1 hour. The mixture is allowed to return to room temperature and is then evaporated to dryness. The residue is chromatographed on silica (eluant: ethyl acetate/n-hexane, 1:1) and 4 g of product (m.p. 135.degree.-140.degree. C.) are obtained, which product is purified by 3 successive crystallizations in ethanol. 2 g of expected pure product are obtained.

Analysis: C.sub.15 H.sub.22 N.sub.2 O.sub.2 S.sub.2 Calculated: C % 55.18, H % 6.79, N % 8.58. Found: C % 55.32, H % 6.77, N % 8.73.

1-[4-(diethylamino)benzenesulphonyl]-2-piperidinone used at the beginning of Example 2 was prepared as follows:

Stage A: 5-(4-Diethylaminobenzenesulphonyl)valeric acid

2.5 g of 4-diethylaminobenzenesulphonyl chloride are added to a solution comprising 1.17 g of 5-aminovaleric acid and 1.2 g of sodium hydroxide dissolved in 12 cm.sup.3 of water, followed by the addition of 12 cm.sup.3 of tetrahydrofuran in order to obtain a solution. The mixture is kept stirring for 2 hours at room temperature, the tetrahydrofuran is evaporated off, the reaction medium is acidified using acetic acid and extracted with chloroform, the organic phase is dried and the solvents are removed under reduced pressure. 2.2 g of expected product are obtained. M.p. 106.degree.-108.degree. C. After crystallization in an isopropanol/water mixture (1:1), the product, melting point 109.degree.-110.degree. C., is obtained.

Analysis: C.sub.15 H.sub.24 N.sub.2 O.sub.4 S Calculated: C % 54.86, H % 7.36, N % 8.53. Found: C % 54.63, H % 7.28, N % 8.65.

Stage B: 1-[4-(Diethylamino)benzenesulphonyl]-2-piperidinone

2 g of product obtained in Stage A are heated to reflux for 2 hours with 2 g of sodium acetate in 20 cm.sup.3 of acetic anhydride. The mixture is cooled to room temperature and evaporated to dryness, the residue is taken up in a mixture of chloroform and water, the organic phase is separated and dried and, after removal of the solvents, 1.8 g of expected crude product are obtained. M.p. 118.degree.-120.degree. C. After crystallization in isopropanol, 1.2 g of pure product are obtained. M.p. 122.degree.-123.degree. C.

Analysis: C.sub.15 H.sub.22 N.sub.2 O.sub.3 S Calculated: C % 58.04, H % 7.14, N % 9.02. Found: C % 58.28, H % 7.34, N % 9.09.

4-(Diethylamino)benzenesulphonyl chloride used as a starting material was prepared as described in the European Patent Application published under No. 0,033,578.

EXAMPLE 3

1-[4-(1-piperidyl)benzenesulphonyl]-2-pyrrolidinethione

1) A mixture comprising 5 g of 1-[4-(1-piperidyl)benzenesulphonyl]-2-pyrrolidinone, prepared as in Example 10 of the European Patent published under No. 0,033,578, and 3.28 g of Lawesson reagent (or 2,4-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,2,4-dithiadiphosphetane 2,4-disulphide) in 100 cm.sup.3 of dimethoxyethane is heated to reflux for 1 hour. The mixture is allowed to return to room temperature and is evaporated to dryness, and the residue is chromatographed on silica (eluant: ethyl acetate/n-hexane, 1:1). 3.5 g of product are recovered. M.p. 195.degree.-200.degree. C. After crystallization in ethanol, 1.5 g of expected product are obtained. M.p. 211.degree.-212.degree. C.

Analysis: C.sub.15 H.sub.20 N.sub.2 O.sub.2 S.sub.2 Calculated: C % 55.53, H % 6.21, N % 8.63. Found: C % 55.34, H % 6.23, N % 8.48.

2) A mixture comprising 9.1 g of 1-[4-(1-piperidyl)benzenesulphonyl]-2-pyrrolidinone, prepared as in Example 10 of the European Patent published under No. 0,033,578, and 5.96 g of Lawesson reagent (or 2,4-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,2,4-dithiadiphosphetane 2,4-disulphide) in 180 cm.sup.3 of tetrahydrofuran is heated to reflux for 48 hours. The mixture is allowed to return to room temperature and is evaporated to dryness, and the residue is chromatographed on silica (eluant: benzene). 4.6 g of product are recovered. M.p. 195.degree.-200.degree. C. After crystallization in a chloroform/n-hexane mixture, 4.4 g of expected product are obtained. M.p. 209.degree.-211.degree. C.

Analysis: C.sub.15 H.sub.20 N.sub.2 O.sub.2 S.sub.2 Calculated: C % 55.53, H % 6.21, N % 8.63. Found: C % 55.21, H % 6.25, N % 8.54.

EXAMPLE 4

1-[4-(1-Piperidyl)benzenesulphonyl]-2-piperidinethione

A suspension comprising 6 g of 1-[4-(1-piperidyl)benzenesulphonyl]-2-piperidinone and 3.76 g of Lawesson reagent in 120 cm.sup.3 of dimethoxyethane is heated to reflux for 1 hour. The mixture is allowed to return to room temperature and is then evaporated to dryness. The residue is chromatographed on silica (eluant: ethyl acetate/n-hexane, 1:1) and 4 g of product (m.p. 140.degree.-145.degree. C.) are obtained, which product is purified by 3 successive crystallizations in methanol. 1.5 g of expected pure product are obtained. M.p. 155.degree.-156.degree. C.

Analysis: C.sub.16 H.sub.22 N.sub.2 O.sub.2 S.sub.2 Calculated: C % 56.77, H % 6.55, N % 8.28. Found: C % 56.54, H % 6.51, N % 8.43.

1-[4-(1-Piperidyl)benzenesulphonyl]-2-piperidinone used at the beginning of Example 4 was prepared as follows:

Stage A: 4-Piperidylbenzenesulphonyl chloride

To a solution, cooled to between 0.degree. C. and -5.degree. C., comprising 8.46 g of sulphur trioxide in 45 cm.sup.3 of methylene chloride, there are added dropwise 9.3 g of dioxane followed by 17.1 g of N-phenylpiperidine dissolved in 45 cm.sup.3 of methylene chloride. The mixture is allowed to return to room temperature, then heated to reflux for 1 hour and evaporated to dryness, the residue is neutralized with 10% strength sodium carbonate solution, the aqueous phase is concentrated and the residue is dried and treated with 200 cm.sup.3 of phosphoryl chloride and 21.8 g of phosphorus pentachloride for 12 hours at room temperature. The mixture is evaporated to dryness, the residue is taken up in chloroform with a little water, the organic phase is separated, dried over sodium sulphate and filtered and the solvent is evaporated off. 19 g of expected product are obtained, which product is used as it is in the next stage.

Stage B: 5-(4-Piperidylbenzenesulphonylamino)valeric acid

7.8 g of 4-piperidylbenzenesulphonyl chloride are added to a solution comprising 3.51 g of 5-aminovaleric acid and 3.6 g of sodium hydroxide dissolved in 35 cm.sup.3 of water, followed by the addition of 35 cm.sup.3 of tetrahydrofuran in order to obtained a solution. The temperature rises to 35.degree. C. The mixture is kept stirring for 4 hours at room temperature, the tetrahydrofuran is evaporated off, the reaction medium is acidified using acetic acid, diluted with 100 cm.sup.3 of water and extracted with chloroform, the organic phase is dried and the solvents are removed under reduced pressure. 5.8 g of expected product are obtained. M.p. 115.degree.-120.degree. C. After crystallization in an isopropanol/water mixture (1:1), the product, melting point 120.degree.-122.degree. C., is obtained.

Analysis: C.sub.16 H.sub.24 N.sub.2 O.sub.4 S Calculated: C % 56.45, H % 7.10, N % 8.23. Found: C % 56.19, H % 7.05, N % 8.06.

Stage C: 1-[4-(1-piperidyl)benzenesulphonyl]-2-piperidinone

5 g of product obtained in Stage B are heated to reflux for 4 hours with 5 g of sodium acetate in 50 cm.sup.3 of acetic anhydride. The mixture is cooled to room temperature and evaporated to dryness, the residue is taken up in 50 cm.sup.3 of water, filtered off and dried and 4.4 g of expected crude product are obtained. M.p. 140.degree.-145.degree. C. After crystallization in ethanol, 3.4 g of pure product are obtained. M.p. 145.degree.-146.degree. C.

Analysis: C.sub.16 H.sub.22 N.sub.2 O.sub.3 S Calculated: C % 59.60, H % 6.88, N % 8.69. Found: C % 59.51, H % 6.97, N % 8.63.

EXAMPLE 5

1-[4-(1-Hexahydroazepinyl)benzenesulphonyl]-2-pyrrolidinethione

1) A mixture comprising 5 g of 1-[4-(1-hexahydroazepinyl)benzenesulphonyl]-2-pyrrolidinone, prepared as in Example 18 of the European Patent Application published under No. 0,033,578, and 3.13 g of Lawesson reagent (or 2,4-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,2,4-dithiadiphosphetane in 100 cm.sup.3 of dimethoxyethane is heated to reflux for 3 hours. The mixture is allowed to return to room temperature and is evaporated to dryness, and the residue is chromatographed on silica (eluant: benzene). 2 g of product are recovered. M.p. 168.degree.-170.degree. C. After crystallization in methanol, 1.5 g of expected product are obtained. M.p. 172.degree.-173.degree. C.

Analysis: C.sub.16 H.sub.22 N.sub.2 O.sub.2 S.sub.2 Calculated: C % 56.77, H % 6.55, N % 8.28, S % 18.95. Found: C % 56.85, H % 6.57, N % 8.23, S % 18.86.

2) A mixture comprising 12.53 g of 1-[4-(1-hexahydroazepinyl)benzenesulphonyl]-2-pyrrolidinone, prepared as in Example 18 of the European Patent published under No. 0,033,578, and 7.5 g of Lawesson reagent (or 2,4-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,2,4-dithiadiphosphetane 2,4-disulphide) in 250 cm.sup.3 of tetrahydrofuran is heated to reflux for 48 hours. The mixture is allowed to return to room temperature and is evaporated to dryness, and the residue is chromatographed on silica (eluant: benzene). 7.3 g of product are recovered. M.p. 173.degree.-175.degree. C. After crystallization in a chloroform/n-hexane mixture, 6 g of expected pure product are obtained. M.p. 176.degree.-178.degree. C.

Analysis: C.sub.16 H.sub.22 N.sub.2 O.sub.2 S.sub.2 Calculated: C % 56.77, H % 6.55, N % 8.28. Found: C % 56.63, H % 6.55, N % 8.20.

EXAMPLE 6

1-[4-(1-Hexahydroazepinyl)benzenesulphonyl]-2-piperidinethione

A solution comprising 5 g of 1-[4-(1-hexahydroazepinyl)benzenesulphonyl]-2-piperidinone and 3 g of Lawesson reagent in 100 cm.sup.3 of 1,2-dimethoxyethane is heated to reflux for 3 hours. The mixture is allowed to return to room temperature and is evaporated to dryness. The residue is chromatographed on silica (eluant: benzene) and 2.5 g of product (m.p. 146.degree.-150.degree. C.) are obtained, which product is crystallized twice in ethanol and then in methanol. 1.5 g of expected pure product are obtained. M.p. 152.degree.-153.degree. C.

Analysis: C.sub.17 H.sub.24 N.sub.2 O.sub.2 S.sub.2 Calculated: C % 57.92, H % 6.86, N % 7.95. Found: C % 57.84, H % 6.87, N % 7.79.

1-[4-(1-Hexahydroazepinyl)benzenesulphonyl]-2-piperidinone used at the beginning of Example 6 was prepared as follows:

Stage A: 4-(Hexahydroazepinyl)benzenesulphonyl chloride

To a solution, cooled to between +5.degree. C. and +10.degree. C., comprising 2.64 g of sulphur trioxide in 78 cm.sup.3 of methylene chloride, there are added dropwise 2.91 g of dioxane followed by 5.26 g of 1-phenylhexahydroazepine (Tetrahedron 41 (1985) p. 101-106) in 53 cm.sup.3 of methylene chloride. The mixture is allowed to return to room temperature, then heated to reflux for 2 hours and cooled again to room temperature, 200 cm.sup.3 of ethyl ether are added to the suspension, the precipitate is filtered off, washed with ether and dried and 7.2 g of acid (m.p. 235.degree. C., decomp.) are obtained, which acid is treated with 36 cm.sup.3 of phosphoryl chloride in 36 cm.sup.3 of methylene chloride and with 5.87 g of phosphorus pentachloride for 4 hours at room temperature. The mixture is evaporated to dryness, the residue taken up with 100 cm.sup.3 of water and 150 cm.sup.3 of chloroform, the organic phase is separated, dried over sodium sulphate and filtered and the solvent is evaporated off. 6.6 g of expected product are obtained. M.p. 85.degree.-88.degree. C.

Stage B: 5-[4-(1-Hexahydroazepinyl)benzenesulphonylamino]valeric acid

6 g of 4-hexahydroazepinylbenzenesulphonyl chloride are added to a solution comprising 2.56 g of 5-aminovaleric acid and 2.63 g of sodium hydroxide dissolved in 60 cm.sup.3 of water, followed by the addition of 60 cm.sup.3 of tetrahydrofuran in order to obtain a solution. The mixture is kept stirring for 2 hours at room temperature, the tetrahydrofuran is evaporated off, the reaction medium is acidified using acetic acid, the precipitate is filtered off, washed with water and dried and 4.65 g of expected product are obtained. M.p. 135.degree.-140.degree. C. After crystallization in isopropanol, the product, melting point 139.degree.-140.degree. C., is obtained.

Analysis: C.sub.17 H.sub.26 N.sub.2 O.sub.4 S Calculated: C % 57.60, H % 7.39, N % 7.90. Found: C % 57.46, H % 7.37, N % 7.98.

Stage C: 1-[4-(1-Hexahydroazepinyl)benzenesulphonyl]-2-piperidinone

4 g of product obtained in Stage B are heated to reflux for 1 hour with 4 g of sodium acetate in 80 cm.sup.3 of acetic anhydride. The mixture is cooled to room temperature and evaporated to dryness, the residue is taken up in 60 cm.sup.3 of water, filtered and dried and 3.5 g of expected product are obtained. After crystallization in isopropanol, 2.3 g of product are obtained. M.p. 164.degree.- 165.degree. C.

Analysis: C.sub.17 H.sub.24 N.sub.2 O.sub.3 S Calculated: C % 60.69, H % 7.19, N % 8.33. Found: C % 60.75, H % 7.09, N % 8.41.

Examples of Pharmaceutical Compositions

a) Tablets corresponding to the following formula were prepared:

______________________________________Product of Example 1 10 mgExcipient q.s. for a finished tablet weighing 300 mg______________________________________ (Details of the excipient: lactose, wheat starch, treated starch rice starch, magnesium stearate, talc).

b) Hard gelatin capsules corresponding to the following formula were prepared:

______________________________________Product of Example 1 20 mgExcipient q.s. for a finished hard gelatin 300 mgcapsule weighing______________________________________ (Excipient: talc, magnesium stearate, Aerosil).

BIOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDIES

1) Binding to Different Brain Receptors

a) Muscarinic receptor 1

Preparation of this is carried out from cortices removed from the brains of male rats weighing 150 to 200 g (Iffa Credo), ground in a Polytron in a 10 mM Na/K buffer pH 7.4. After incubation (0.5 ml aliquots of homogenate) for 60 minutes at 25.degree. C. in the presence of 0.25 nM [.sup.3 H]pirenzepine, either alone, or with the test product, or with an excess of 10.sup.-5 M pirenzepine (to determine the non-specifically bound radioactivity), the incubates are cooled and filtered.

The filtration is performed on Whatman GF/C filters prewashed in a 0.05% strength solution of polyethylenimine. The filters are rinsed with 3.times.5 ml of 10 mM Na/K phosphate buffer pH 7.4 and the measurements are then performed by liquid scintillation.

b) Muscarinic receptor 2

The preparation is performed from brains of male rats weighing 150 to 200 g (Iffa Credo).

The brains are ground (Teflon-glass) in 0.32M sucrose solution. The homogenate is centrifuged for 10 minutes at 1,000 g (0.degree.-4.degree. C.).

The supernatant obtained is collected and centrifuged at 30,000 g for 15 minutes (0.degree.-4.degree. C.).

The pellet is resuspended in 50 mM Tris buffer pH 7.5 and the new homogenate is centrifuged again at 30,000 g for 15 minutes (0.degree.-4.degree. C.).

After removal of the supernatant, the pellets may be used immediately or stored for up to 1 month at -30.degree. C.

For an experiment, the pellets are first thawed, if necessary, at room temperature and resuspended using a Dounce in 50 mM Tris buffer pH 7.5. 2 ml aliquots are incubated for 60 minutes at 25.degree. C. in the presence of 0.3 nM [.sup.3 H]quinuclidinyl benzylate, either alone, or with the test product, or with 10.sup.-5 M benzatropine to determine the non-specifically bound radioactivity.

At the end of the incubation period, the incubate tubes are cooled to 4.degree. C. and filtered rapidly on Whatman GF/C filters. The filters are rinsed with 3.times.5 ml of 50 mM Tris buffer pH 7.5 and the measurements are then performed by liquid scintillation (Henry I. Yamamura, Solomon H. Snyder, Proc. Nat. Acad. Sc. (1974) 71, No. 5, 1725-1729).

The results are expressed as an IC.sub.50 (concentration needed to inhibit by 50% the specifically bound radioactivity).

TABLE 1______________________________________ Affinity for M.sub.1 and M.sub.2 muscarinicCompound of receptorsExample [.sup.3 H]pirenzepine [.sup.3 H]quinuclidinyl benzylate______________________________________1 43 22002 73 19003 25 6504 30 5805 10 1206 12 230______________________________________

The compounds of Examples 1 to 6 show a noteworthy advantageous affinity for the muscarinic receptor, and mainly for the M.sub.1 type receptor. In contrast, the same compounds showed negligible affinity (IC.sub.50 >5,000-10,000) for the other receptors examined, including those for dopamine, histamine, serotonin (5-HT.sub.1 and 5-HT.sub.2), benzodiazepines, GABA, adrenoreceptors (alpha.sub.1, alpha.sub.2, beta.sub.1, beta.sub.2) or alternatively opiate receptors (mu, kappa).

2) Interaction and Affinity With Different Intestinal Receptors

The interaction of the compounds with different receptors was assessed on isolated guinea pig ileum according to the following method.

Guinea pig ileum segments measuring 2.5-3 cm were washed and immediately suspended in a bath containing 10 ml of Tyrode's solution at 37.degree. C. aerated with a mixture of oxygen (95%) and carbon dioxide (5%). After a stabilization period of at least 30 minutes, the contractions were recorded, maintaining the preparation under constant tension of 1 g using a gauge connected to a polygraph. The agonist action was assessed by leaving the compound in contact with the isolated tissue for a period necessary for expressing the maximal contraction; the preparation was then washed with Tyrode's solution. The next dose was added to the bath only after the preparation had returned to its base line. As a reference product, arecoline was employed. The antagonist action was assessed on contractions induced by acetylchloine (1.times.10.sup.-6 M), histamine (1.times.10.sup.-5 M) and barium chloride (2.times.10.sup.-4 M). Atropine, diphenhydramine and papaverine were employed as reference products. The contact time before adding the agonist was one minute.

For each compound, the dose-response curves are obtained with 4 to 6 different concentrations and 3 to 5 independent tests. The agonist activity is expressed by pD.sub.2 (negative logarithm of the dose which produces 50% of the maximum effect). The antagonist activity is expressed by IC.sub.50 (concentration inhibiting 50% of the maximal response).

The results obtained with the compounds of Examples 1 to 6 are recorded in the following table:

TABLE 2______________________________________ Antagonist to different agents AgonistCompound of (IC.sub.50 :M) actionExample ACh Histam. BaCl.sub.2 pD.sub.2______________________________________1 5.7 .times. 10.sup.-7 >10.sup.-5 >10.sup.-5 <52 3.4 .times. 10.sup.-7 >10.sup.-5 >10.sup.-5 <53 2.6 .times. 10.sup.-6 >10.sup.-5 <54 3.6 .times. 10.sup.-6 >10.sup.-5 <55 2.8 .times. 10.sup.-7 >10.sup.-5 <56 1.9 .times. 10.sup.-7 >10.sup.-5 <5Atropine 9.5 .times. 10.sup.-9Diphenhydra- 8.3 .times. 10.sup.-7minePapaverine 4.5 .times. 10.sup.-5Arecoline 6.68______________________________________

The "in vitro" studies on isolated guinea pig ileum demonstrated that the compounds of the invention are antimuscarinic agents. They antagonize contractions induced by acetylcholine, but not those induced by histamine and barium chloride.

3) "In Vivo" Anticholinergic Action

The anticholinergic activity of the compounds was determined by assessing the capacity to inhibit the cholinomimetic effects induced by carbachol. Atropine sulphate was employed as a reference product.

CD.sub.1 male mice weighing 25 to 30 g were used. They were distributed in groups of 6 animals and treated intraperitoneally with scalar doses of the products or 0.25% Methocel for the controls. 12 animals were used for each dose. 30 minutes after administration of the compounds, the mice were injected subcutaneously with 1 mg/kg of carbachol dissolved in physiological saline.

Each animal was examined 30 minutes after the injection of carbachol to assess the presence of diarrhoea, salivation and eye watering; in addition, the body temperature was measured by means of a thermocouple inserted 1.5 cm into the rectum.

Carbachol (1 mg/kg s.c.) induced diarrhoea, salivation and eye watering in all the control mice, and a decrease in rectal temperature of approximately 2.5.degree. C.

For each compound, we have determined and recorded in the following table the dose capable of inhibiting the appearance of the carbachol-induced cholinometric symptoms in 50% of the animals, and of increasing by 1.degree. C. the hypothermic effect induced by the cholinergic agent.

TABLE 3______________________________________Compound Dose mg/kg i.p.of Diar- Sali- Eye BodyExample rhoea vation watering temperature______________________________________1 5 >50 >50 >502 8 >50 >50 >503 3 >50 >50 >504 7 >50 >50 >505 0.6 15 >50 126 2 40 >50 >50Atropine 0.04 0.06 0.05 0.03______________________________________

The results obtained show that, in contrast to atropine, the compounds exert "in vivo" a selective anticholinergic action in respect of the intestinal musculature.

Claims

1. The compounds of formula (I): ##STR13## in which R represents the radical ##STR14## in which R.sub.1 at any position on the benzene ring represents linear, branched or cyclic alkyl containing up to 8 carbon atoms, alkenyl containing up to 8 carbon atoms or alkynyl containing up to 8 carbon atoms, or the radical ##STR15## in which R.sup.2 and R.sub.3, which may be identical or different, represent hydrogen or linear alkyl containing up to 8 carbon atoms, alkenyl containing up to 8 carbon atoms or alkynyl containing up to 8 carbon atoms or form, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, piperidyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, pyrrolidinyl or hexahydroazepinyl, or the radical OR', R' representing hydrogen, linear, branched or cyclic alkyl containing up to 8 carbon atoms, phenyl or naphthyl, or the radical SR.sub.4 or S(O)R.sub.5, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 representing linear, branched or cyclic alkyl containing up to 8 carbon atoms, alkenyl containing up to 8 carbon atoms or alkynyl containing up to 8 carbon atoms, or R represents naphthyl optionally substituted with a radical R'.sub.1, R'.sub.1 having one of the definitions stated above for R.sub.1, and n represents the number 1 or number 2.

2. The compounds of formula (I) as defined in claim 1, in which R represents the radical ##STR16## R.sub.1 retaining the same meaning as in claim 1.

3. The compounds of formula (I) as defined in claim 2, in which R.sub.1 is at the 4-position.

4. The compounds of formula (I) as defined in claim 2 or 3, in which R.sub.1 represents a linear or branched alkyl containing up to 8 carbon atoms.

5. The compounds of formula (I) as defined in claim 2 or 3, in which R.sub.1 represents the radical ##STR17## in which R'.sub.2 and R'.sub.3 represent linear or branched alkyl containing up to 8 carbon atoms or form, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, piperidyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, pyrrolidinyl or hexahydroazepinyl.

6. The compounds of formula (I) as defined in claim 2 or 3, in which R.sub.1 represents the radical SR.sub.4, R.sub.4 representing a linear or branched alkyl containing up to 4 carbon atoms.

7. The compound of formula (I), as defined in claim 1, selected from the group consisting of

1-[4-(diethylamino)phenylsulphonyl]-2-pyrrolidinethione,

1-[4-(diethylamino)phenylsulphonyl]-2-piporidinethione,

1-[4-(1-piperidyl)phenylsulphonyl]-2-pyrrolidinethione,

1-[4-(1-piperidyl)phenylsulphonyl]-2-piperidinethione,

1-[4-(1-hexahydroazepinyl)phenylsulphonyl]-2-pyrrolidinethione, and

1-[4-(1-hexahydroazepinyl)phenylsulphonyl]-2-piperidinethione.

8. A therapeutic composition for the treatment of a patient suffering from muscle spasms, comprising an anti-spasmodically effective amount of a compound as defined in claim 1 and a pharmacologically acceptable carrier.

9. A therapeutic composition for the treatment of a patient suffering from muscle spasms, comprising an anti-spasmodically effective amount of a compound as defined in claim 7 and a pharmacologically acceptable carrier.

10. A method of treating a patient suffering from muscle spasms comprising administering to the patient an anti-spasmodically effective amount of a compound as defined in claim 1.

11. A method of treating a patient suffering from muscle spasms comprising administering to the patient an anti-spasmodically effective amount of a compound as defined in claim 7.