Dihydro-isoquinoline compounds and their use as pharmaceuticals

Abstract

Compound of general formula I ##STR1## wherein A is a benzo or thieno group;R.sub.1 is (C.sub.4-6)cycloalkyl, (C.sub.4-6)cycloalkyl-(C.sub.1-5)alkyl or ##STR2## R.sup.2, m, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R and u are defined as in the specification, and pharmaceutical preparations containing this compound and the new pharmaceutical uses thereof.

Description

The invention relates to anellated dihydropyridinoacetic acid derivatives, processes for preparing them and pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds.

Dihydroisoquinolines are known from EP-A 37 934. The compounds mentioned therein have a cardiotonic activity and have an activity component which increases contractility and influences blood pressure. They have been proposed for improving circulation of the blood through the tissues and for improving the supply of oxygen to the tissues. These possible uses are based on the vascular activity of the compounds. EP-A 251 194 describes how carbocyclically and heterocyclically anellated dihydropyridines have a cardioprotective activity and constitute an entirely new type of Ca-antagonistic compounds.

The present invention relates to new carbocyclically and heterocyclically anellated dihydropyridines, and the pharmaceutical use of these compounds and new pharmaceutical uses for the dihydroisoquinolines known from EP-A-37 934. These new uses are based on their antiproliferative effect and their activity in the treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

One aspect of the invention consists in the use of a compound of general formula I ##STR3## wherein A denotes a benzo, indolo or thieno group; wherein, if A is benzo, m is 2 or 3 (preferably 2, the two R.sup.2 groups being in positions 6 and 7), and the substituents R.sup.2 independently of each other may represent hydroxy, (C.sub.1-4)alkoxy, benzyloxy, halogen (F, Cl, Br, I), (C.sub.1-4)alkyl, methanesulphonyloxy or methanesulphonamido, or two adjacent substituents R.sup.2 together represent --O--CH.sub.2 --O-- or --O--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O--; and if A is indolo or thieno, m is zero;

R.sub.1 denotes (C.sub.4-6)cycloalkyl, (C.sub.4-6)cycloalkyl(C.sub.1-5)-alkyl or ##STR4## R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 independently of each other denote (a) hydrogen, (b) branched or unbranched C.sub.3-6 -alkenyl, (c) branched or unbranched C.sub.3-6 -alkynyl or (d) branched or unbranched C.sub.1-12 -alkyl, whilst the alkyl may be substituted by hydroxy, (C.sub.1-4)alkoxy, di (C.sub.1-4)alkylamino, furyl, pyridyl, pyrrolidinyl, N-methylpyrrolidinyl, morpholino, indolyl, nitrilo, thienyl, adamantyl, cyclohexyl, phenoxy, naphthyloxy or phenyl, whilst this phenyl or the phenyl contained in the phenoxy group may be mono-, di- or trisubstituted by hydroxy, (C.sub.1-4)alkoxy, benzyloxy, halogen (F, Cl, Br, I), CF.sub.3, N.sub.3, (C.sub.1-4)alkyl, adamantyl, --SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2, --NHCOCH.sub.3, --NHSO.sub.2 CH.sub.3 or CH.sub.3 SO.sub.2 O-- or by the bridge --O--CH.sub.2 --O--; or R.sup.3 denotes hydrogen and R.sup.4 denotes cyclohexyl, phenyl, fluorophenyl, pyridyl or N-benzylpiperidyl; or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bound represent pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, the group ##STR5## or piperazinyl, whilst the piperazinyl ring may optionally be N-substituted by methyl, unsubstituted phenyl, mono- or di(C.sub.1-4)alkoxyphenyl, pyrimidinyl, phenyl(C.sub.1-4)alkyl or ##STR6## R denotes C.sub.1-4 -alkyl, hydroxy, --N.sub.3, halogen (F, Cl, Br, I), CF.sub.3, C.sub.1-4 -alkoxy or --COH and u denotes 0, 1, 2 or 3;

A further aspect of the invention consists in the following new compounds:

of general formula ##STR7## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are as defined above; and new compounds of general formula I ##STR8## wherein A denotes a benzo, indolo or thieno group; wherein, if A is benzo, m is 2 or 3 (preferably 2, the two R.sup.2 groups being in positions 6 and 7), and the substituents R.sup.2 independently of each other may represent hydroxy, (C.sub.1-4)alkoxy, benzyloxy, halogen (F, Cl, Br, I), (C.sub.1-4)alkyl, methanesulphonyloxy or methanesulphonamido, or two adjacent substituents R.sup.2 together represent --O--CH.sub.2 --O or --O--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O--; and if A is indolo or thieno, m is zero; if A is indolo or thieno, m is zero; R.sub.1 denotes (C.sub.4-6)cycloalkyl, (C.sub.4-6)cycloalkyl(C.sub.1-5)-alkyl or ##STR9## R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 independently of each other denote (a) hydrogen, (b) branched or unbranched C.sub.3-6 -alkenyl, (c) branched or unbranched C.sub.3-6 -alkynyl or (d) branched or unbranched C.sub.1-12 -alkyl, whilst the alkyl may be substituted by hydroxy, (C.sub.1-4) alkoxy, di (C.sub.1-4)alkylamino, furyl, pyridyl, pyrrolidinyl, N-methylpyrrolidinyl, morpholino, indolyl, nitrilo, thienyl, adamantyl, cyclohexyl, phenoxy, naphthyloxy or phenyl, whilst this phenyl or the phenyl contained in the phenoxy group may be mono-, di- or trisubstituted by hydroxy, (C.sub.1-4)alkoxy, benzyloxy, halogen (F, Cl, Br, I), CF.sub.3, N.sub.3, (C.sub.1-4)alkyl, adamantyl, --SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2, --NHCOCH.sub.3, --NHSO.sub.2 CH.sub.3 or CH.sub.3 SO.sub.2 O-- or by the bridge --O--CH.sub.2 --O--; or R.sup.3 denotes hydrogen and R.sup.4 denotes cyclohexyl, phenyl, fluorophenyl, pyridyl or or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bound represent pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, the group ##STR10## or piperazinyl, whilst the piperazinyl ring may optionally be N-substituted by methyl, unsubstituted phenyl, mono- or di(C.sub.1-4)alkoxyphenyl, pyrimidinyl, phenyl(C.sub.1-4)alkyl or ##STR11## R denotes C.sub.1-4 -alkyl, hydroxy, --N.sub.3, halogen (F, Cl, Br, I), CF.sub.3, C.sub.1-4 -alkoxy or --COH and u denotes 0, 1, 2 or 3.

Another aspect of the invention consists in individual new compounds which come under the general definition of earlier patent applications. These compounds are contained, together with other compounds, in Tables 13 to 20, particularly Tables 14, 16 and 20. The following compounds of this group should be particularly mentioned:

New compounds of general formula I of the formula ##STR12## wherein NR.sup.3 R.sup.4 has one of the following meanings ______________________________________ Structure______________________________________ ##STR13## I ##STR14## I ##STR15## I ##STR16## I + II ##STR17## I ##STR18## I ##STR19## ##STR20##HNCH.sub.2 -1-Adam. ##STR21## ##STR22## ##STR23## ##STR24## ##STR25## ##STR26## I ##STR27## I ##STR28## I ##STR29## I ##STR30## I ##STR31## I ##STR32## II ##STR33## INHCH.sub.2 -Adam(1) II ##STR34## I ##STR35## ##STR36##______________________________________ Compounds of formula I form tautomers of formula II ##STR37##

The tautomers can be separated by known methods, e.g. by column chromatography or selective reduction (NaBH.sub.4 or catalytic reduction).

The compounds of formula II may be present in cis- and/or trans-form: ##STR38##

The invention also comprises the physiologically acceptable salts of the above new compounds with acids, bases and complexing agents.

The new compounds have valuable therapeutically useful properties. They can be used as cardioprotective agents, as cerebroprotective agents (particularly for the treatment of patients who have suffered a stroke or are in danger of suffering a stroke), and as agents for treating chronic inflammatory processes (e.g. bronchial asthma and arthritis). Furthermore, these compounds can be used as agents with an antiproliferative effect and as agents for treating ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

In the definitions used in the text, the radicals and groups may be identical or different, i.e. if one of the above-mentioned substituents occurs several times in one particular molecule, the meaning can be freely selected on each occasion within the scope of the range of definitions.

The term alkyl refers particularly to C.sub.1-6 -alkyl and C.sub.1-4 -alkyl radicals which may in turn be substituted or, as alkyl radicals, are part of a functional group such as alkoxy or alkylthio. The alkyl radicals include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec.butyl, isobutyl, tert.butyl radicals and the various isomeric pentyl and hexyl radicals such as isopentyl, neopentyl, n-pentyl and the n-hexyl radical.

The above definition thus applies even when the alkyl radical is in turn substituted and/or is itself part of an alkoxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulphonyl, monoalkylamino, alkylmethyl, alkylthiomethyl, dialkylamino group or the alkyl radical is bound as a substituent to an aromatic heterocyclic or carbocyclic system.

The halogens are fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine, preferably fluorine, chlorine and bromine and, to a lesser extent, iodine.

C.sub.3-6 -cycloalkyl means cyclopropane, cyclobutane, cyclopentane and cyclohexane.

C.sub.5-6 -cycloalkenes are for example cyclopentene, cyclohexene and cyclohexadiene.

The C.sub.2 - and C.sub.3 -acyl radicals represent the acetyl and propionyl radicals.

C.sub.3-6 -alkynes are the isomeric hexynes, pentynes, butynes and propynes, preferably propargyl.

The C.sub.3-6 -alkenes are the isomeric hexenes, pentenes, butenes and propenes, preferably allyl.

Examples of unsaturated heterocycles include, inter alia:

furan, pyran, pyrrole, pyrazole, imidazole, pyridine, pyrazine, pyrimidine, pyridazine, thiophene, thiazole, oxazole, 1,2,4-triazole, 1,2,3-triazole, 1,2,4-triazine, 1,3,5-triazine, indole.

Examples of 5- or 6-membered, wholly or partially saturated monocyclic heterocycles include inter alia:

imidazolidine, pyrazolidine, pyrrolidine, piperidine, piperazine, morpholine, thiomorpholine, tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydrothiophene, 1,4-dioxine, imidazoline, pyrazoline, pyrroline, etc.

A. of the compounds of formula I wherein R.sup.1 is (C.sub.4-6)cycloalkyl or (C.sub.4-6) cycloalkyl(C.sub.1-5)alkyl, the following may be mentioned as of particular interest:

Compounds wherein R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 independently of each other denote (a) hydrogen, (b) C.sub.1-8 -alkyl, C.sub.2-3 -alkenyl or -alkynyl (wherein the alkyl may be substituted by hydroxy, (C.sub.1-4)alkoxy, di(C.sub.1-4)alkylamino, furyl, pyrrolidinyl, morpholinyl, pyridinyl or the group ##STR39## wherein B, R.sup.5 and q are defined as hereinafter) (d) dimethylamino, (f) phenyl, (g) morpholinyl or (h) pyridyl, whilst R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 cannot simultaneously represent hydrogen, dimethylamino or di(C.sub.1-4) alkylaminomethyl; or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bound denote a pyrrolidinyl, morpholinyl or piperazinyl group, whilst the piperazinyl ring may optionally be N-substituted by unsubstituted phenyl, mono- or di(C.sub.1-4)alkoxyphenyl, pyrimidinyl or phenyl(C.sub.1-4)alkyl; more particularly wherein R.sup.3 and/or R.sup.4 denotes unsubstituted phenyl, fluorophenyl, morpholino or 2- or 3-pyridyl; wherein R.sup.3 and/or R.sup.4 denotes (C.sub.1-4)alkyl, preferably methyl or ethyl; or ##STR40## wherein R.sup.3 and/or R.sup.4 denotes (C.sub.2 or C.sub.3)alkyl, which is substituted by hydroxy, methoxy, dimethylamine, furyl, morpholino, pyrrolidinyl or pyridinyl; wherein R.sub.3 is hydrogen.

Moreover, of these compounds (I), special mention should be made of those wherein R.sup.3 is hydrogen and R.sup.4 is a substituted alkyl of formula VII ##STR41## wherein q' is 0, 1 or 2; R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 independently of each other denote hydrogen or (C.sub.1-5)alkyl or together with the carbon atom to which they are bound denote a 5- or 6-membered carbocycle;

B denotes phenyl or thienyl; R.sup.5 denotes (C.sub.1-4)alkyl, halogen (F, Cl, Br, I), hydroxy, (C.sub.1-4)alkoxy, amino, thiomethyl, methanesulphonyloxy or methanesulphonamido, or two adjacent R.sup.5 substituents together denote --O--CH.sub.2 --O-- or --O--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O-- and q' denotes 0, 1, 2 or 3, if B is phenyl, and q' denotes 0, 1 or 2 if B is thienyl; more especially compounds wherein R.sup.5 denotes (C.sub.1-4)alkyl, hydroxy, (C.sub.1-4)alkoxy, methanesulphonyloxy or methanesulphonamido, or two adjacent R.sup.5 substituents together denote --O--CH.sub.2 --O-- or --O--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O--; wherein R.sup.5 represents hydroxy, (C.sub.1-4)alkoxy, methanesulphonyloxy or methanesulphonamido, or two adjacent R.sup.5 substituents together represent --O--CH.sub.2 --O-- or --O--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O--; particularly wherein R.sup.5 represents hydroxy, methoxy, methanesulphonyloxy or methanesulphonamido, or two adjacent R.sup.5 substituents together represent --O--CH.sub.2 --O--; particularly compounds wherein R.sup.5 is methoxy; wherein q is zero; wherein B is phenyl and q is two, preferably wherein the two R.sup.5 substituents are in positions 2 and 3.

Mention should also be made of compounds wherein R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bound represent morpholino, pyrrolidinyl or piperazinyl (which is N-substituted by methoxyphenyl, phenethyl or 2-pyrimidinyl).

Of the above-mentioned groups of compounds the preferred ones are those wherein

R.sup.2 represents hydroxy, (C.sub.1-4)alkoxy, methanesulphonyloxy or methanesulphonamido, or two adjacent R.sup.2 substituents together represent --O--CH.sub.2 --O-- or --O--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O--; particularly wherein R.sup.2 is methoxy.

B. Of the compounds of formula I wherein R.sup.1 is ##STR42## the compounds which may be mentioned as being of particular interest are those wherein

R.sup.3 denotes hydrogen; and R.sup.4 denotes hydrogen, C.sub.3-6 -alkenyl; C.sub.3-6 -alkynyl; C.sub.3-6 -cycloalkyl; C.sub.3-6 -cycloalkenyl; straight-chained or branched C.sub.1-6 -alkyl, which may optionally be mono- or polysubstituted with the following substituents of groups a) to c), which may be identical or different: a) halogen; cyano; hydroxy; mercapto; C.sub.1-4 -alkoxy; C.sub.1-4 -alkylthio; amino; mono-C.sub.1-4 -alkylamino; di-C.sub.1-4 -alkylamino (wherein the alkyl radicals may be identical or different), phenoxy (wherein the phenyl group may be substituted as in (b)), b) phenyl; optionally mono- or polysubstituted (with identical or different substituents) by the groups halogen, trifluoromethyl, C.sub.1-4 -alkoxy, hydroxy, mercapto, C.sub.1-4 -alkylthio, C.sub.1-4 -alkyl, amino, mono-C.sub.1-4 -alkylamino, di-C.sub.1-4 -alkylamino (wherein the alkyl groups may be identical or different), C.sub.2-3 -acylamino, C.sub.2-3 -acyloxy and the --O--CH.sub.2 --O-- or --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --O-- group vicinally bound to the phenyl system, C) a 5- or 6-membered saturated or wholly or partially unsaturated monocyclic heterocycle having up to 3 heteroatoms selected from the group comprising N, O and S; and as a bicyclic heterocycle indole (whilst the above-mentioned heterocycles may be mono- or polysubstituted by C.sub.1-4 -alkyl), C.sub.3-6 -cycloalkyl; C.sub.5 - or C.sub.6 -cycloalkenyl; C.sub.2-3 -acyl; C.sub.1-4 -alkylsulphonyl; or phenyl (which may in turn be substituted up to three times as described under b); or R.sup.3 is hydrogen and R.sup.4 is phenyl which may be substituted as specified under b) above; R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 independently of each other denote C.sub.1-4 -alkyl, which may optionally be phenyl-substituted, whilst the phenyl substituent may in turn be substituted as under b) hereinbefore; or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bound denote a wholly or partially saturated heterocyclic 5- or 6-membered ring (which may also contain up to two further heteroatoms selected from the group N, O, S), whilst the heterocyclic group thus obtained may be substituted by C.sub.1-4 -alkyl, hydroxy, phenyl or benzyl (whilst this phenyl group or the phenyl group of the benzyl group is substituted as under b) hereinbefore).

Within the description of general formula I is included in particular 3,4-dihydroisoquinoline derivatives wherein NR.sup.3 R.sup.4 is ##STR43## wherein X.sup.1 represents phenyl mono- or disubstituted by trifluoromethyl or ethoxy, phenyl substituted by methoxy and fluorine or 2-methoxyphenyl,

X.sup.2 is --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 -- or --CH.sub.2 --CH(CH.sub.3)--, and X.sup.3 is 2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl, 2,3-dimethoxyphenyl, 2,6-dimethoxyphenyl, 3,6-dimethoxyphenyl, thienyl, phenyl mono- or disubstituted by trifluoromethyl or ethoxy, or phenyl substituted by methoxy and fluorine, or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

The preferred compounds (I) are those wherein NR.sup.3 R.sup.4 is ##STR44##

Carbocyclically and heterocyclically anellated dihydropyridines of the formula ##STR45## and the tautomeric forms thereof, wherein R.sup.3 denotes hydrogen and

R.sup.4 denotes hydrogen; straight-chained or branched unsubstituted C.sub.1-5 -alkyl; allyl; propargyl; C.sub.3-6 -cycloalkyl; 3-chlorophenyl; 2-methyl-3-chlorophenyl; or C.sub.1-3 -alkyl, which is monosubstituted with one of the substituents of groups d) to f) listed below; d) cyano, hydroxy, methoxy, dimethylamino e) phenyl, 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl, phenyl substituted by one, two or 3 methoxy groups, 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl, f) morpholino, pyridin-2-yl, indol-3-yl, furan-2-yl, thiophen-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, pyridin-4-yl; R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 independently of each other denote methyl; ethyl; 3-cyanopropyl; benzyl; or 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethyl or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bound represent morpholine; thiomorpholine; pyrrolidine; piperazine; 4-methylpiperazine; 4-benzylpiperazine or 4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine; and A represents the anellated ring systems ##STR46## are preferred.

The phenyl group of the compound of general formula I may contain 1, 2 or 3 R substituents. These R substituents may be identical or different from one another. Preferably R is C.sub.14 -alkyl (preferably methyl), halogen (preferably fluorine, chlorine or bromine) or CF.sub.3.

C. Of the compounds of formula I wherein R.sup.1 is unsubstituted phenyl, particular mention may be made of those compounds wherein

R.sup.3 is hydrogen and R.sup.4 is hydrogen, C.sub.3-6 -alkenyl; C.sub.3-6 -alkynyl-; C.sub.3-6 -cycloalkyl; C.sub.3-6 -alkyl anellated with a benzo group; C.sub.3-6 -cycloalkenyl; straight-chained or branched C.sub.1-10 -alkyl, which may optionally be mono- or polysubstituted with the following substituents of groups a) to c), which may be identical or different: a) cyano; hydroxy; C.sub.1-4 -alkoxy; C.sub.1-4 -alkylthio; C.sub.1-4 -alkyloxycarbonyl; amino; mono-C.sub.1-4 -alkylamino; di-C.sub.1-4 -alkylamino (wherein the alkyl radicals may be identical or different), phenoxy (wherein the phenyl group may be substituted as under (b); naphthoxy; b) phenyl; optionally mono-, di- or trisubstituted (with identical or different substituents) by the groups halogen, trifluoromethyl, C.sub.1-4 -alkoxy, hydroxy, mercapto, C.sub.1-4 -alkylthio, C.sub.1-4 -alkyl, azido, amino, mono-C.sub.1-4 -alkylamino, di-C.sub.1-4 -alkylamino (wherein the alkyl groups may be identical or different), C.sub.2-3 -acylamino, C.sub.2-3 -acyloxy and the group --O--CH.sub.2 --O-- or --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --O-- vicinally bound to the phenyl system; C) a 5- or 6-membered saturated or wholly or partially unsaturated monocyclic heterocycle having up to 3 heteroatoms from the group comprising N, O and S; and as a bicyclic heterocycle indole (whilst the above-mentioned heterocycles may be mono- or polysubstituted by C.sub.1-4 -alkyl) C.sub.3-10 -cycloalkyl (optionally bridged cycloalkyl); C.sub.5 - or C.sub.6 -cycloalkenyl; C.sub.2-3 -acyl; C.sub.1-4 -alkylsulphonyl; or R.sup.4 is phenyl which may be substituted as specified under (b) hereinbefore; R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 independently of each other are each defined as for R.sup.4 above, and preferably represent C.sub.1-6 -alkyl, which may optionally be phenyl-substituted, whilst the phenyl substituent may in turn be substituted as under b) hereinbefore; or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bound represent a wholly or partially saturated heterocyclic 5- or 6-membered ring (which may also contain up to 2 further heteroatoms selected from the group comprising N, O and S), whilst the heterocyclic group thus obtained may be substituted by C.sub.1-4 -alkyl, hydroxy or (CH.sub.2).sub.q" R.sup.8 (where q"=0,1,2,3 or 4); and R.sup.8 denotes a phenyl radical or phenoxy radical wherein, if desired, the phenyl group is substituted as under b) hereinbefore, or R.sup.8 denotes naphthoxy;

A denotes the anellated ring systems ##STR47## wherein R.sup.2 is as hereinbefore defined, more particularly wherein R.sup.3 is hydrogen and

R.sup.4 is hydrogen; C.sub.3-6 -alkenyl; C.sub.3-6 -alkynyl; C.sub.3-6 -cycloalkyl; C.sub.3-6 -cycloalkenyl; straight-chained or branched C.sub.1-6 -alkyl which may optionally be mono- or polysubstituted with the following substituents of groups a) to c), which may be identical or different: a) halogen; cyano; hydroxy; mercapto; C.sub.1-4 -alkoxy; C.sub.1-4 -alkylthio; amino; mono-C.sub.1-4 -alkylamino; di-C.sub.1-4 -alkylamino (wherein the alkyl radicals may be identical or different), phenoxy (wherein the phenyl group may be substituted as under (b), b) phenyl; optionally mono- or polysubstituted (with identical or different substituents) by the groups halogen, trifluoromethyl, C.sub.1-4 -alkoxy, hydroxy, mercapto, C.sub.1-4 -alkylthio, C.sub.1-4 -alkyl, amino, mono-C.sub.1-4 -alkylamino, di-C.sub.1-4 -alkylamino (wherein the alkyl groups may be identical or different), C.sub.2-3 -acylamino, C.sub.2-3 -acyloxy and the group --O--CH.sub.2 --O-- or --O--(CH.sub.2) .sub.2 --O-- vicinally bound to the phenyl system C) a 5- or 6-membered saturated or wholly or partially unsaturated monocyclic heterocycle having up to 3 heteroatoms from the group N, O, S; and as a bicyclic heterocycle indole (whilst the above-mentioned heterocycles may be mono- or polysubstituted by C.sub.1-4 -alkyl), C.sub.3-6 -cycloalkyl; C.sub.5 - or C.sub.6 -cycloalkenyl; C.sub.2-3 -acyl; C.sub.1-4 -alkylsulphonyl; or phenyl (which may in turn be substituted up to three times as described under b); R.sup.3 is hydrogen and R.sup.4 is phenyl which may be substituted as specified under (b) hereinbefore; R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 independently of each other denote C.sub.1-4 -alkyl, which may optionally be phenyl-substituted, whilst the phenyl substituent may in turn be substituted as under b) hereinbefore; or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bound denote a wholly or partially saturated, heterocyclic 5- or 6-membered ring (which may also contain up to 2 further heteroatoms from the group N, O, S), whilst the resulting heterocycle may be substituted by C.sub.1-4 -alkyl, hydroxy or (CH.sub.2).sub.q" -R.sup.8 (wherein q"=0 or 1) and R.sup.8 denotes a phenyl radical which may optionally be substituted as under b) hereinbefore;

A denotes the anellated ring systems ##STR48## wherein R.sup.2 is as hereinbefore defined.

General formula I as described covers, in particular, 3,4-dihydroisoquinoline derivatives of the general formula ##STR49## wherein NR.sup.3 R.sup.4 represents ##STR50## wherein X.sup.1 denotes phenyl which is mono- or disubstituted by trifluoromethyl or ethoxy, phenyl which is substituted by methoxy and fluorine, or 2-methoxyphenyl,

X.sup.2 denotes --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 -- or --CH.sub.2 --CH(CH.sub.3)--, and X.sup.3 denotes 2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl, 2,3-dimethoxyphenyl, 2,6-dimethoxyphenyl, 3,6-dimethoxyphenyl, thienyl, phenyl which is mono- or disubstituted by trifluoromethyl or ethoxy, or phenyl substituted by methoxy and fluorine, or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Particularly preferred compounds are those wherein NR.sup.3 R.sup.4 denotes ##STR51## wherein X.sup.1 is 2-methoxyphenyl, which may additionally be substituted by fluoro,

X.sup.2 is --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 -- and X.sup.3 is 2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl, 2,3-dimethoxyphenyl, 2,6-dimethoxyphenyl, 3,6-dimethoxyphenyl, 2- or 3-thienyl, phenyl substituted by trifluoromethyl or ethoxy, or phenyl substituted by methoxy and fluorine.

Particular mention should be made of compounds of the formula ##STR52## and the tautomeric forms thereof wherein R.sup.3 is hydrogen and

R.sup.4 is hydrogen; straight-chained or branched unsubstituted C.sub.1-5 -alkyl; allyl; propargyl; C.sub.3-6 -cycloalkyl; 3-chlorophenyl; 2-methyl-3-chlorophenyl; or C.sub.1-3 -alkyl, which is monosubstituted with one of the substituents of groups d) to f) listed hereinafter; d) cyano, hydroxy, methoxy, dimethylamino e) phenyl, 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl, phenyl substituted by one, two or 3 methoxy groups, 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl, f) morpholino, pyridin-2-yl, indol-3-yl, furan-2-yl, thiophen-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, pyridin-4-yl R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 independently of each other denote methyl; ethyl; 3-cyanopropyl; benzyl; or 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethyl or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bound denote morpholine; thiomorpholine; pyrrolidine; piperazine; 4-methylpiperazine; 4-benzylpiperazine; or 4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine; and ##STR53## denotes the anellated ring systems ##STR54## wherein R.sup.2 is as hereinbefore defined.

The compounds of formula I may be prepared by methods known per se, preferably according to the method described in German Patent Application P 37 18 570.5, EP 358 957, EP 37 934 and EP 251 794.

In the presence of a condensing agent a malonic acid amide of general formula IV ##STR55## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and m are as hereinbefore defined and Ar denotes phenyl or 2- or 3-thienyl, may be cyclised into the corresponding compounds.

Suitable condensing agents for this process include strong Lewis acids such as phosphorusoxychloride, phosphoruspentachloride, phosphorustrichloride, phosphoruspentoxide, titanium tetrachloride, boron trifluoride, tin tetrachloride, and also inorganic acids such as polyphosphoric acid, sulphuric acid, fluorosulphonic acid and hydrofluoric acid, or mixtures of condensing agents such as a mixture of phosphorusoxychloride and phosphoruspentachloride, or a mixture of phosphoruspentoxide and (C.sub.1-4)alkylsulphonic acid, e.g. with a P.sub.2 O.sub.5 -content of about 10% by weight.

The cyclisation may be carried out in the presence or absence of a solvent. All inert solvents are suitable provided that they have sufficient solubility for the reactants and a high enough boiling point, e.g. benzene, alkylbenzenes (e.g. toluene, xylene), chlorobenzenes, chloroform, acetonitrile and decalin. According to a preferred alternative embodiment of the process the condensing agent, e.g. phosphorusoxychloride or a (C.sub.1-4)alkylsulphonic acid/phosphoruspentoxide mixture is used without the addition of solvents.

Preferably, the cyclisation is carried out using phosphorusoxychloride or, in difficult cases, with a mixture of phosphoruspentoxide and (C.sub.1-4)alkylsulphonic acid (preferably methanesulphonic acid). The reaction may be carried out within a wide temperature range, preferably with warming or heating to 50.degree. C. up to about the boiling point of the reaction mixture.

The reaction time required will range from 2 to 15 hours depending on the starting compound of formula IV.

The compounds of formula I are bases and may be converted in the usual way with organic or inorganic acids and salt-forming agents and complexing agents into any desired physiologically acceptable adducts (salts).

Examples of acids suitable for salt formation include hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydriodic acid, hydrofluoric acid, sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, caproic acid, valeric acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, malic acid, benzoic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, phthalic acid, cinnamic acid, salicylic acid, ascorbic acid, methanesulphonic acid and the like.

The compounds may be given orally, parenterally or topically. The desired therapeutic dose depends on the indication and form of preparation and can be determined experimentally. Suitable forms include, for example, tablets, capsules, suppositories, solutions, syrups, emulsions, aerosols or dispersible powders. Tablets may be produced, for example, by mixing the active substance or substances with known excipients, e.g. inert diluents such as calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate or lactose, disintegrants such as corn starch or alginic acid, binders such as starch or gelatine, lubricants such as magnesium stearate or talc and/or agents for obtaining delayed release, such as carboxypolymethylene, carboxymethylcellulose, cellulose acetate phthalate or polyvinylacetate. The tablets may also consist of several layers.

Coated tablets may be produced analogously by coating cores made in the same way as the tablets with substances conventionally used for tablet coatings, e.g. collidone or shellack, gum arabic, talc, titanium dioxide or sugar. In order to obtain delayed release or avoid incompatibilities, the core may also consist of several layers. Similarly, the tablet coating may consist of several layers to achieve delayed release, whilst the excipients mentioned for the tablets may be used.

Syrups containing the active substances or combinations of active substances according to the invention additionally contain a sweetener such as saccharin, cyclamate, glycerol or sugar as well as a flavour enhancer, e.g. a flavouring such as vanillin or orange extract. They may also contain suspension adjuvants or thickeners such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose, wetting agents, e.g. condensation products of fatty alcohols with ethylene oxide or preservatives such as p-hydroxybenzoates.

Injectable solutions are produced in the usual way, e.g. by adding preservatives such as p-hydroxybenzoates or stabilisers such as alkali metal salts of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, and are then transferred into injection vials or ampoules.

Capsules containing one or more active substances or combinations of active substances may be prepared for example by mixing the active substances with inert carriers such as lactose or sorbitol and encapsulating them in gelatine capsules.

Suitable suppositories may be produced for example by mixing with carriers provided for this purpose, such as neutral fats or polyethyleneglycol or derivatives thereof.

The compounds may be given both enterally and parenterally. The proposed dose for oral administration is 0.1 to 500 mg of active substance per dose, and for intravenous use 0.05 to 150 mg per dose. The desired therapeutic dose depends on the indication and form of preparation and can be determined experimentally.

The pharmaceutical compositions are suitable for oral or parenteral and possibly topical use. The pharmaceutical forms are predominantly plain or coated tablets, ampoules and syrups. The individual dose of these preparations is between 1.0 and 200 mg, preferably 20 to 50 mg per 75 kg of body weight. Depending on the severity of the case, 1 to 3 single doses are generally administered per day.

The Examples which follow are intended to illustrate the invention:

EXAMPLE 1

3,4-Dihydro-1-benzyl-6,7-dimethoxy-.alpha.-�di-2-(2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl)ethyl!aminocarbonyl-isoquinoline-hydrochloride ##STR56##

a) 2-(3,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)ethylaminocarbonyl-phenyl-acetic acid-N,N-di-�2-(2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl)-ethyl!amide

To a solution of 18.0 g (52.4 mmol) of monoethylphenylmalonate-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylamide in 150 ml of anhydrous dimethylformamide are added, at ambient temperature 9.0 g (55.5 mmol) of N,N'-carbonyldiimidazole in batches. After 30 minutes 18.0 g (44.3 mmol) of di-�2-(2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl)ethyl!amine are added and the mixture is stirred for 30 minutes. Then the solvent is distilled off in vacuo, the residue is taken up in 1.5 liters of CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 and extracted twice with 250 ml of water and 200 ml of 1N HCl, one after the other. The organic phase is evaporated down after drying over Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4 and, after purification over a silica gel column (eluant: CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 /MeOH 100:2) the residue is crystallised from ethyl acetate/ether.

Yield: 35.5 g

b) 35.0 g (47.5 mmol) of amide (from step a) and 15 ml (164 mmol) of phosphorusoxychloride are heated to boiling for 30 minutes in 150 ml of anhydrous acetonitrile. After the reaction has ended (monitored by thin layer chromatography) the solvent and any unused phosphorusoxychloride are distilled off in vacuo. The residue is mixed with ice water, made alkaline with soda solution and extracted in batches with about 1 liter of CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2. The organic phase is washed with water, dried over Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4 and evaporated down. The residue is purified twice over a silica gel column (1st eluant: CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 :MeOH 100:2.fwdarw.100:4 rising; 2nd eluant: CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 /ethyl acetate 1:1).

The hydrochloride is formed from the purified product (6.5 g) by dissolving in about 50 ml of ethanol and adding alcoholic hydrochloric acid. After evaporation and drying under a high vacuum at 50.degree. C. 11.5 g of the desired product remain.

(M.p. 56-64.degree. C., amorphous)

EXAMPLE 2

2-Phenylmalonic acid-N-(2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl)-N',N'-di-(2-(2-fluorophenyl)ethyl)-diamide

To a solution of 17.2 g (0.05 mol) of phenylmalonic acid N-(2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl)-monoamide in 200 ml of anhydrous CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2, 8.1 g (0.05 mol) of N,N'-carbonyldiimidazole are added in batches at ambient temperature and with stirring. After about 30 minutes a suspension consisting of 14.9 g (0.05 mol) of di-(2-(2-fluorophenyl)ethyl)amine-hydrochloride and 5.1 g=6.4 ml (0.05 mol) of triethylamine in 100 ml of anhydrous CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 is stirred into the reaction mixture. After 15 hours' stirring, 200 ml of water are added, the mixture is acidified with dilute hydrochloric acid, the organic phase is separated off and the aqueous phase is extracted 3 times with 100 ml of CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2. The combined organic phases are dried over Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4 and evaporated down. R,S (3,4-Dihydro-6,7-dimethoxyisoquinolin-1-yl)-2-phenyl N,N-di-(2-(2-fluorophenyl)ethyl-acetamide-oxalate

A mixture of 29.8 g (0.049 mol) of amide, 150 ml of anhydrous CH.sub.2 C.sub.2 and 17.5 g=9.4 ml (0.10 mol) of POCl.sub.3 is refluxed for 10 hours. After the reaction has ended (TLC monitoring) the mixture is stirred into a combination of 400 ml of ice water and 200 ml of CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2. Then it is neutralised with a saturated soda solution, the organic phase is separated off, the aqueous phase is extracted 3 times with 100 ml of CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2. The combined phases are dried over Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4 and evaporated down in vacuo. The residue is purified over silicic acid (eluant: CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 =methanol=100:2) and then dissolved in a little ethanol and converted into the oxalate by adding a stoichiometric quantity of an alcoholic oxalic acid solution. The oxalate is also crystallised by the addition of ether. M.p.: 144-146.degree. C.

EXAMPLE 3

(R,S)-(3,4-Dihydro-6,7-dimethoxyisoquinolin-1-yl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-N N-di(2-(2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl)ethyl)-acetamide-oxalate

Ingredients:

5 g (6.57 mMol) of 4-methoxyphenylmalonic acid-N-(2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl)-N'-(2-(2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl)-ethyl-diamide ("diamide") 18 ml of acetonitrile, 3.02 g (19.7 mMol) of phosphorusoxychloride, 600 mg (6.66 mmol) of oxalic acid, anhydrous, 200 ml of ether

Method: The reaction mixture of the "diamide", acetonitrile and phosphorusoxychloride is refluxed for 1 hour under protective N.sub.2. After cooling with ice water it is diluted with 100 ml of ethyl acetate and then washed twice each with ice water, 50 ml of saturated NaHCO.sub.3 solution, water and saturated NaCl solution. The organic phase is dried over MgSO.sub.4 and poured, with stirring, into a solution of 706 mg (7.84 mMol) of anhydrous oxalic acid in 200 ml of absolute ether.

The reaction product was initially precipitated as an oil as the oxalic acid salt, which crystallised after standing for some time with stirring. After standing overnight in the refrigerator it was suction filtered, washed with ether and dried. M.p.: 107-110.degree. C. The structure was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy.

R.sub.f values: 0.53 (ethyl acetate) R.sub.f values: 0.6 (acetonitrile:H.sub.2 O=9:1) Preparation of the starting compound: Part A Diethyl 4-methoxyphenylmalonate Ingredients: 150 ml of absolute ethanol 7.5 g (0.33 mol) of sodium 300 ml of diethylcarbonate 62.5 g (0.3 mol) of ethyl 4-methoxyphenylacetate Method:

Sodium is dissolved in absolute ethanol and evaporated to dryness in vacuo. Whilst cooling with ice water the residue is combined with diethylcarbonate and ethyl 3-chlorophenylacetate, with stirring. Then the ethanol is slowly (2-3 hours) distilled off through a 40 cm column (Raschig rings) under a high vacuum at 40-70.degree. C. and 200 mM. After cooling, the mixture is acidified with 30 ml of glacial acetic acid and mixed with 150 ml of water. The oil precipitated is washed successively with water and saturated NaCl solution and dried over MgSO.sub.4. The residue is distilled in a bulb tube using an oil pump; b.p.: 0.5 mM: 150-155.degree. C.

Monoethyl 4-methoxyphenylmalonate Ingredients: 52.2 g (0.196 mol) of diethylester 120 ml of ethanol 120 ml of water 12.3 g (0.22 mol) of KOH in 60 ml of water and 60 ml of ethanol Method:

An ethanolic solution of diethyl 4-methoxyphenylmalonate is mixed with the aqueous alcoholic KOH solution, with stirring and cooling with ice, and stirred for 75 minutes. Then it is acidified with a saturated citric acid solution and extracted 3 times with methylene chloride. The organic phase is washed successively with water and saturated NaCl solution, dried over MgSO.sub.4 and the solvent is distilled off in vacuo. The crystalline residue is recrystallised from methylene chloride/petroleum ether (40-800).

Yield: 34.4 g (73.6% of theory). The structure was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy. Monoethyl N-(2,3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl)-4-methoxy-phenyl-malonate-amide Ingredients: 34.4 g (0.144 mol) of monoethyl 4-methoxy-phenylmalonate 150 ml of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran 23.3 g (0.144 mol) of N,N'-carbonyldiimidazole 26.1 g (0.144 mol) of 2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylamine in 50 ml of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran Method:

The carbonyldiimidazole is added in batches at 50.degree. C., with stirring, to the solution of the 4-methoxy-phenylmalonic acid hemiester in THF. After 30 minutes' stirring at ambient temperature the amine is added whilst cooling with ice and the mixture is stirred for 16 hours at ambient temperature. The reaction mixture is evaporated down and the residue is taken up in CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2. It is washed twice with water, then 10% KHSO.sub.4 solution, saturated NaHCO.sub.3 solution, water and saturated saline solution. After drying over MgSO.sub.4 the organic phase is evaporated down and the oily residue (7.7 g) is crystallised from ethyl acetate.

4-Methoxy-phenylmalonic acid-N-(2(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-ethyl)-amide Ingredients: 44.16 g (0.11 mol) (4-methoxy-phenylmalonic acid hemiester amide) 300 ml methanol 120 ml (0.12 mol) 1N sodium hydroxide solution Method:

At 5-10.degree. C. the sodium hydroxide solution is stirred into the methanolic solution of the hemiester amide for 30 minutes. After 3 hours' stirring at ambient temperature it is evaporated down, diluted with water, then extracted twice with CH.sub.3 Cl. The aqueous phase is adjusted to pH 1 with concentrated HCl and extracted twice with CH.sub.3 Cl. After washing with saturated saline solution the organic phase is dried over MgSO.sub.4 and evaporated down. The crystalline residue is crystallised from CH.sub.3 cl.

Part B 2-(2,3,4-Trimethoxyphenyl)-1-nitro-ethers ______________________________________Ingredients:______________________________________400 g (2.04 mol) of 2,3,4-trimethoxybenzaldehyde1740 g of glacial acetic acid172.6 g (2.24 mol) of anhydrous ammonium acetate656 ml of nitromethane______________________________________ Method:

The mixture of benzaldehyde, ammonium acetate, nitromethane and glacial acetic acid is stirred for 30 minutes at boiling temperature under nitrogen protection. The mixture is cooled to -5.degree. C. and poured into 5 liters of ice water with stirring. The viscous residue is extracted exhaustively with CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2. The organic phase is washed with water, dried over MgSO.sub.4 and evaporated down. The brown oily residue (510 g) crystallises on standing. It is dissolved in 470 ml of ethyl acetate and crystallised by the addition of 3.9 liters of cyclohexane.

2-(2,3,4-Trimethoxyphenyl)ethylamine-hydrochloride ______________________________________Ingredients:______________________________________1.445 g (0.60 mol) "Nitrostyrol"1.9 l of water232 ml of conc. hydrochloric acid (analytical grade)88 g PdC (10%)______________________________________ Method:

The above reaction mixture is hydrogenated at 60.degree. C. under 35 bar for 2.25 hours. Then it is evaporated down in vacuo, the residue is taken up in ethanol and evaporated to dryness. It is then dissolved in ethanol and the reaction product is crystallised by the addition of ether.

2,3,4-Trimethoxybenzylalcohol ______________________________________Ingredients:______________________________________500 g (2.55 mol) 2,3,4-trimethoxybenzaldehyde5.0 l of methanol13.0 g of PtO.sub.2______________________________________ Method:

The reduction is carried out at 20.degree. C. under 5 bar and is complete after 30 minutes. After the solvent has been evaporated off the residue (501.5 g) is distilled in a high vacuum (B.p. 116.degree.; 0.5 mbar).

2,3,4-Trimethoxybenzylchloride ______________________________________Ingredients:______________________________________50.0 g (0.25 mol) 2,3,4-trimethoxybenzylalcohol800 ml of anhydrous methylene chloride59.4 g (0.5 mol) of thionylchloride______________________________________ Method:

The solution of the alcohol in anhydrous CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 is slowly mixed with SOCl.sub.2 with stirring and cooling with ice and common salt. The mixture is stirred for a further 15 minutes in the cold, then for 2 hours at ambient temperature. The solvent and excess thionylchloride are eliminated in vacuo, the residue is taken up in CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 and shaken successively with saturated NaHCO.sub.3 solution, water and saturated saline solution. After drying over MgSO.sub.4 the solvent is removed in vacuo and the residue is distilled in a bulb tube furnace using an oil pump (b.p. 118.degree. C.; 0.1 mbar).

2,3,4-Trimethoxybenzylcyanide ______________________________________Ingredients:______________________________________75.8 g (0.35 mol) 2,3,4-trimethoxybenzylchloride700 ml of anhydrous acetone3.45 g (0.023 mol) of NaI25.7 g (0.53 mol) of dried powdered NaCN______________________________________ Method:

The reaction mixture consisting of benzyl chloride, NaI and NaCN in anhydrous acetone is stirred for 20 hours at boiling temperature. After cooling it is suction filtered and the solvent is eliminated in vacuo. The residue is dissolved in ethyl acetate, shaken first with water then with saturated saline solution and dried over MgSO.sub.4. After removal of the solvent the residue is distilled in a bulb tube furnace at 0.015 mbar (b.p. 135.degree.C.).

2,3,4-Trimethoxyphenylacetic acid ______________________________________Ingredients:______________________________________138.5 g (0.67 mol) 2,3,4-trimethoxybenzylcyanide,53.5 g (1.34 mol) NaOH dissolved in 215 ml of water______________________________________ Method:

The mixture of benzyl cyanide and aqueous sodium hydroxide solution is refluxed for 7 hours, then after cooling acidified with 6N H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 and extracted three times with CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2. The organic phase is washed with water and saturated NaCl solution and dried over MgSO.sub.4. After removal of the solvent the residue is dissolved in 200 ml of CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 and crystallised by the addition of 1500 ml of cyclohexane.

2,3,4-Trimethoxyphenyl-N-(2-(2,3,4-trimethoxy-phenyl)ethyl)-acetamide ______________________________________Ingredients:______________________________________72.4 g (0.32 mol) 2,3,4-trimethoxyphenylacetic acid400 ml anhydrous tetrahydrofuran51.8 g (0.32 mol) N,N'-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI)79.3 g (0.32 mol) 2-(2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl)- ethylamine-hydrochloride500 ml anhydrous tetrahydrofuran32.4 ml (0.32 mol) triethylamine______________________________________ Method:

The phenylacetic acid dissolved in anhydrous THF is converted into the imidazolide with stirring at 5.degree. C. by the batch-wise addition of CDI. After 30 minutes a suspension of amine hydrochloride, triethylamine in anhydrous THF is stirred in at ambient temperature. After 16 hours the mixture is evaporated down in vacuo and the residue is divided between CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 and 2N HCl. Then it is washed successively with water, saturated NaHCO.sub.3 solution, water and saturated NaCl solution. After drying over MgSO.sub.4 the organic phase is evaporated down, the residue is dissolved in 200 ml of ethyl acetate and the product is crystallised by the addition of 700 ml of cyclohexane.

Di-2-(2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl)ethylamine-hydrochloride ______________________________________Ingredients:______________________________________113.4 g (0.27 mol) "phenylacetic acid amide"470 ml anhydrous tetrahydrofuran270 ml (0.54 mol) BH.sub.3.S(CH.sub.3).sub.2 in THF (2______________________________________ mol/l) Method:

At 65.degree. C. the borane complex mixture is added dropwise to the solution of the acid amide in anhydrous THF under protective N.sub.2. After the addition has ended the mixture is stirred for a further 15 minutes at 65.degree. C. Then the reaction mixture is cooled to 5.degree. C. It is carefully acidified with methanolic hydrochloric acid, evaporated down in vacuo (drawn off) and the residue is crystallised from ethanol with the addition of ether.

Part C 4-Methoxy-phenylmalonic acid-N-(2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-ethyl)-N'-(2-(2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl)ethyl)-di-amide ______________________________________Ingredients:______________________________________3.73 g (10 mMol) 4-methoxy-phenylmalonic acid hemiamide25 ml anhydrous THF1.62 g (10 mMol) N,N'-carbonyldiimidazole4.1 g (10 mMol) di-2-(2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl)ethylamine- hydrochloride40 ml anhydrous THF1.01 g (10 mMol) triethylamine = 1.39 ml______________________________________ Method:

The carbonyldiimidazole is added in batches to the solution of the monoamide in THF at 5.degree. C. with stirring. The reaction mixture is stirred for 30 minutes at ambient temperature. Then, whilst cooling with ice, it is reacted with a suspension of the amine-hydrochloride in THF and triethylamine. After 16 hours' stirring at ambient temperature it is evaporated down and the residue is dissolved in ethyl acetate. The organic phase is washed successively with water, 5% KHSO.sub.4 solution, saturated NaHCO.sub.3 solution, water and unsaturated NaCl solution. After drying over MgSO.sub.4 the mixture is evaporated down, the residue (7.2 g) is purified on 210 g of silica gel (eluant: ethyl acetate/n-hexane=2:1).

The following Tables contain examples of compounds according to the invention, whilst Tables 10 to 20 list new compounds.

TABLE 1______________________________________Structural type: ##STR57##No. X Structure Salt form______________________________________1. OCH.sub.3 II --2. OC.sub.2 H.sub.5 II --3. NHCH.sub.3 I Cl4. NHC.sub.2 H.sub.5 I --5. NH(CH.sub.2).sub.2CH.sub.3 I Cl6. NH(CH.sub.2).sub.3CH.sub.3 I Cl7. NH(CH.sub.2).sub.4CH.sub.3 I Cl8. NHCH(CH.sub.3).sub.2 I Cl9. NHCH.sub.2CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2 I Cl10. NH(CH.sub.2).sub.2CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2 I Cl11. NHC(CH.sub.3).sub.3 I Cl12. NHCH(CH.sub.3)C.sub.2 H.sub.5 I Cl13. NHCH.sub.2CHCH.sub.2 I Cl14. NHCH.sub.2CCH I Cl15. NH(CH.sub.2).sub.2OH II Cl16. NHCH.sub.2CH(OH)CH.sub.3 I Cl17. NH(CH.sub.2).sub.2OCH.sub.3 II Cl18. NH(CH.sub.2).sub.3OCH.sub.3 II Cl19. NH(CH.sub.2).sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.2 I Cl.sub.220. NH(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.2 II Cl.sub.2 ##STR58## II -- ##STR59## I Cl ##STR60## I -- ##STR61## I -- ##STR62## I -- ##STR63## II -- ##STR64## II Cl ##STR65## I -- ##STR66## I --30. ##STR67## II -- ##STR68## I -- ##STR69## II -- ##STR70## I Cl ##STR71## I Cl ##STR72## II --36. N(CH.sub.3).sub.2 I Cl37. N(C.sub.2 H.sub.5).sub.2 I Cl ##STR73## I Cl38a. ##STR74## I Cl ##STR75## I Cl40. ##STR76## I -- ##STR77## I II -- ##STR78## II Cl.sub.2 ##STR79## I -- ##STR80## I Cl______________________________________ TABLE 2______________________________________Structural type: ##STR81##No. X Structure Salt form______________________________________45. OC.sub.2 H.sub.5 II -- ##STR82## II Cl ##STR83## II -- ##STR84## II -- ##STR85## II --50. ##STR86## I --______________________________________ TABLE 3______________________________________Structural type: ##STR87##No. X Structure Salt form______________________________________51. OC.sub.2 H.sub.5 I -- II52. NH(CH.sub.2).sub.3CH.sub.3 I --53. NH(CH.sub.2).sub.4CH.sub.3 I --54. NHCH(CH.sub.3).sub.2 I Cl55. NHCH.sub.2CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2 I --56. NHCH.sub.2CHCH.sub.2 I -- ##STR88## I Cl ##STR89## I Cl ##STR90## I60. ##STR91## I ##STR92## I -- ##STR93## I -- ##STR94## I Cl ##STR95## I -- ##STR96## I -- Cl ##STR97## I Cl ##STR98## I Cl ##STR99## I Cl______________________________________ TABLE 4______________________________________Structural type: ##STR100##No. X Structure Salt form______________________________________69. N(C.sub.2 H.sub.5).sub.2 I______________________________________ TABLE 5______________________________________Structural type: ##STR101##No X Structure Salt form______________________________________70. NHCH.sub.3 I71. NHC.sub.2 H.sub.5 I ##STR102## I ##STR103## I74. N(CH.sub.3)C.sub.2 H.sub.5 I______________________________________ TABLE 6______________________________________Structural type: ##STR104##No. X Structure______________________________________ ##STR105## I ##STR106## I77. N(CH.sub.3)C.sub.2 H.sub.5 I ##STR107## II ##STR108## I______________________________________ TABLE 7______________________________________Structural type: ##STR109##No. X Structure Salt form______________________________________82. OC.sub.2 H.sub.5 III -- ##STR110## II -- ##STR111## II -- ##STR112## III -- ##STR113## I --87. NHCH.sub.2CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2 II --88. NH(CH.sub.2).sub.3N(CH.sub.3).sub.2 II -- ##STR114## II --______________________________________ TABLE 8______________________________________Structural type: ##STR115##No. X Structure Salt form______________________________________90. OC.sub.2 H.sub.5 ##STR116## II --______________________________________ TABLE 9__________________________________________________________________________ ##STR117##Structural type I ##STR118##Structural type IICompound X Structural type Mp�.degree.C.!__________________________________________________________________________ ##STR119## I 56-64B ##STR120## I 176-184(Salt form)C ##STR121## I 166-168D ##STR122## II 102-104E (Cl) ##STR123## I 187F (-) ##STR124## I 94-96G (Cl) ##STR125## II 139-142H (-) ##STR126## II 133-135J (-) ##STR127## II 143-145K (-) ##STR128## II 96-98L (-) ##STR129## II 118-120M (-) ##STR130## II 112-114N (Cl) ##STR131## I 95-99O (-) ##STR132## I 114-116P (-) ##STR133## I 66-73Q (Cl) ##STR134## II 205-209__________________________________________________________________________ TABLE 10__________________________________________________________________________Structural type: ##STR135##No. X Structure Salt form Mp�.degree.C.!__________________________________________________________________________101 ##STR136## I Oxalate 138-140102 ##STR137## I Oxalate 153-155103 ##STR138## I Oxalate 117-123104 ##STR139## I Oxalate 154-155105 ##STR140## I Oxalate 127-129106 ##STR141## I Oxalate 132-135107 ##STR142## I Oxalate 145-147108 ##STR143## I Base 118-120109 ##STR144## II Base 118-120110 ##STR145## I Oxalate 153-156111 N�(CH.sub.2).sub.5 CH.sub.3 !.sub.2 I Oxalate 81-84112 N(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3).sub.2 I Oxalate 57-59113 N�(CH.sub.2).sub.4 CH.sub.3 !.sub.2 I Oxalate . . .114 ##STR146## I Oxalate 125-126115 ##STR147## I Base 103-105116 N�(CH.sub.2).sub.3 CH.sub.3 !.sub.2 I Oxalate 119-121117 N�CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2 !.sub.2 I Oxalate 130-131118 ##STR148## I Oxalate 176-178119 ##STR149## I Oxalate 160-162 (Decomp)120 ##STR150## I Oxalate 170-172121 ##STR151## I Oxalate 158-160 (Decomp)122 ##STR152## I Oxalate 166-168123 NH(CH.sub.2).sub.9CH.sub.3 I Oxalate 99-101124 ##STR153## I Oxalate 127-143125 ##STR154## I Oxalate 144-149126 ##STR155## I Oxalate 137-139127 ##STR156## I HCl 185-187128 N(CH.sub.2 CN).sub.2 I Base129 ##STR157## II Base130 ##STR158## II HCl131 ##STR159## II HCl132 NHCH.sub.2 -Adam(1) II HCl133 ##STR160## I Oxalate134 ##STR161## I Base135 ##STR162## I HCl136 ##STR163## I HCl137 ##STR164## I (Oxalate).sub.2138 ##STR165## I HCl139 ##STR166## I HCl140 ##STR167## I Base141 OCH.sub.2C(CH.sub.3).sub.3 II Base142 ##STR168## II Base143 OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 -Adam(1) II HCl144 OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2C(CH.sub.3).sub.3 II HCl145 OCH.sub.2 -Adam(1) II Base146 ##STR169## II HCl147 ##STR170## II HCl148 ##STR171## I Oxalate 118-120149 ##STR172## I HCl 195-197150 ##STR173## I HCl 140-143151 ##STR174## I HCl 193-195152 ##STR175## I HCl 155-158153 ##STR176## I HCl 168-170154 ##STR177## I HCl 172-174__________________________________________________________________________ Adam = Adamantyl TABLE 11__________________________________________________________________________ ##STR178##R.sub.1 X Salt form__________________________________________________________________________ ##STR179## ##STR180## HCl Mp. 116-127.degree. C. ##STR181## ##STR182## BS Rf: 0.39 (ethyl acetate)__________________________________________________________________________ TABLE 12______________________________________ ##STR183##No. R Structure Salt form Mp�.degree.C.!______________________________________1 4-CH.sub.3 I Oxalate2 4-F I Oxalate3 3-Cl I Oxalate4 4-Br I Oxalate5 2-OCH.sub.3 I Oxalate6 3-OCH.sub.3 I Oxalate7 4-OCH.sub.3 I Oxalate8 3,4-di-OCH.sub.3 I Oxalate9 3,4,5-tri-OCH.sub.3 I Oxalate10 4-N.sub.3 I Oxalate11 3-I,4-N.sub.3 I Oxalate12 2-CH.sub.3 I Oxalate13 2-Br I Base14 2,4-di-Cl I Oxalate15 3-F I Oxalate16 2-Cl I Base______________________________________ TABLE 13__________________________________________________________________________ ##STR184##No. NR.sup.3 R.sup.4 Salt form Structure Mp (.degree.C.) % Inhib.__________________________________________________________________________ ##STR185## 1.5 Fu I 177-178 40.44" BS II 158-159 0.0 ##STR186## BS II 165-167 50.64 ##STR187## MS I 132-133 67.73 ##STR188## BS II 84-55 65.50 ##STR189## MS I 151-153 80.89" BS II 110-111 39.47 ##STR190## MS I 118-122 24.03 ##STR191## MS I 150-154 43.49 ##STR192## Cl I 144-147 15.26 ##STR193## BS II 131-133 26.54 ##STR194## Cl I 114-115 0.0 ##STR195## BS II 144-147 67.75__________________________________________________________________________ TABLE 14__________________________________________________________________________ ##STR196##No. NR.sup.3 R.sup.4 Salt form Structure Mp (.degree.C.) % Inhib.__________________________________________________________________________ ##STR197## Cl I amorphous.sup.x) 79.17 ##STR198## Cl I amorphous.sup.x) 73.55 ##STR199## Cl I amorphous.sup.x) 60.82 ##STR200## Cl I + II amorphous.sup.x) 82.76 ##STR201## Cl I amorphous.sup.x) 50.90 ##STR202## Ox I amorphous.sup.x) 56.20 ##STR203## Ox I 142-144 ##STR204## BS I 105-106 22.39 ##STR205## Cl.sub.2 I 208-210 ##STR206## MS I amorphous.sup.x) 79.60 ##STR207## Cl I amorphous.sup.x) 36.71 ##STR208## Cl I amorphous.sup.x) 30.87__________________________________________________________________________ .sup.x) The structure of the substance is characterised by NMR spectroscopy TABLE 15__________________________________________________________________________ ##STR209##No. NR.sup.3 R.sup.4 Salt form Structure Mp (.degree.C.) % Inhib.__________________________________________________________________________ ##STR210## Cl I 134-136 ##STR211## Cl I 166-168 ##STR212## Cl I 142-144 ##STR213## BS I 119 84.43__________________________________________________________________________ TABLE 16__________________________________________________________________________ ##STR214## SaltNo. form R.sup.a R.sup.b NR.sup.3 R.sup.4 Mp. % IC.sub.50__________________________________________________________________________MS HO CH.sub.3 O ##STR215## 87 3.47 .times. 10.sup.-6MS CH.sub.3 O HO " 0 --MS CH.sub.3 O CH.sub.3 O ##STR216##OX CH.sub.3 O H ##STR217## 60-70 30.41MS ##STR218## H " 182-185 14.65OX HO H " 120-130OX CH.sub.3 O CH.sub.3 " 143 10.47OX ##STR219## CH.sub.3 " 156-157 49.03OX HO CH.sub.3 " 80-95OX CH.sub.3 O Cl " 143-145 44.65OX ##STR220## Cl " 130-132 32.90OX HO Cl " 182-183MS ##STR221## CH.sub.3 O " 31.8MS CH.sub.3 O ##STR222## " 22.9OX CH.sub.3 O CH.sub.3 ##STR223## 145-151 58.3OX CH.sub.3 O H " 115-125OX CH.sub.3 O Cl " 131-135OX ##STR224## Cl " 135-142OX ##STR225## CH.sub.3 " 162-164OX ##STR226## H " 145-147OX HO Cl " 187-190OX HO CH.sub.3 " 193-200OX HO H " 154-157__________________________________________________________________________ TABLE 17__________________________________________________________________________ ##STR227##No. NR.sup.3 R.sup.4 Salt form Mp(.degree.C.) % Hem. IC.sub.50__________________________________________________________________________ ##STR228## OX amorphous* 68.2 ##STR229## Cl amorphous* 36.95 ##STR230## Cl 69.7 ##STR231## Cl amorphous* ##STR232## BS amorphous* ##STR233## Cl amorphous*HNCH.sub.2 -1-Adam. Cl amorphous* 65.1 ##STR234## BS amorphous* ##STR235## Cl amorphous* 12.82 ##STR236## BS amorphous* 59 ##STR237## Cl amorphous* 72.18 ##STR238## Cl amorphous* ##STR239## OX-2 amorphous* 41.06 ##STR240## BS amorphous* 7.77 ##STR241## BS amorphous* 45.26 ##STR242## OX amorphous* 33.06 ##STR243## Cl 199-201 81.60 ##STR244## Cl amorphous* 52.51 ##STR245## Cl amorphous* 80.97 7.57 .times. 10.sup.-6__________________________________________________________________________ *The structure of the substance is characterised by NMR spectroscopy TABLE 18______________________________________ ##STR246## SaltNo. R.sup.1 form Mp. % Hem. IC.sub.50______________________________________ ##STR247## OX amorphous* 41.8 ##STR248## OX amorphous* 24.3 ##STR249## OX amorphous* 73.7 ##STR250## OX amorphous* 53.1 ##STR251## OX amorphous* ##STR252## OX amorphous* 68.22 ##STR253## OX amorphous* ##STR254## BS amorphous* ##STR255## OX amorphous* ##STR256## BS amorphous* ##STR257## OX amorphous* ##STR258## OX amorphous* 30.79 ##STR259## OX amorphous* ##STR260## OX amorphous* ##STR261## OX amorphous* 54.30 ##STR262## OX amorphous* 61.3 ##STR263## Cl amorphous* 5.81 ##STR264## BS amorphous* ##STR265## amorphous* 56.0 ##STR266## OX amorphous* ##STR267## OX amorphous*______________________________________ *: The structure of the substance is characterised by NMR spectroscopy TABLE 19______________________________________ ##STR268##______________________________________ *: The structure of the substance is characterised by NMR spectroscopy TABLE 20__________________________________________________________________________ ##STR269##No. R.sup.a R.sup.b NR.sup.3 R.sup.4 Salt form Mp. % H IC.sub.50__________________________________________________________________________HO CH.sub.3 O ##STR270## MS 163-169 86.70 3.47 .times. 10.sup.-6PhCH.sub.2O CH.sub.3 O " MS amorph* 31.78PhCH.sub.2 O CH.sub.3 O NHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2C(CH.sub.3).sub.3 OX amorph* 61.85PhCH.sub.2O Cl ##STR271## OX 130-132 32.9CH.sub.2 O Cl " OX 143-145 44.65PhCH.sub.2 O CH.sub.3 " OX 156-157 49.03__________________________________________________________________________ *The structure of the substance is characterised by NMR spectroscopy

The present invention further relates to the use of the above-mentioned compounds for the production of agents for treating chronic inflammatory processes, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease and for producing agents having an antiproliferative effect. The activity of the compounds can be explained by their inhibition of the unselective cation channels (UCC).

The pathophysiology of chronic bronchial asthma is based on inflammatory processes which are mediated by the activation of inflammatory cells. (BARNES, 1987; SEIFERT and SCHULTZ, 1991).

The receptor-regulated activation of inflammatory cells (e.g. neutrophilic granulocytes and mast cells or the permanent cell lines HL-60 cells or sensitised RBL cells, i.e. those charged with gammaglobulin E) is inhibited, irrespective of the nature of the stimulating agonists (e.g. endothelin, PAF, leukotrienes, chemotactical peptide fMLP or antigen against sensitised mast cells) by blockers of unselective cation channels (UCC) (RINK, 1990). Through these channels extracellular calcium, which is responsible for the persistence of receptor-mediated cell activations, enters the cells (PUTNEY, 1990). If this supply of calcium is interrupted this results in a blockade of the activation of inflammatory cells.

Conventional calcium antagonists of the dihydropyridine or phenylalkylamine type do not inhibit either UCCs or inflammatory processes (WELLS et al., 1986).

As a measurement of the cell activation or as a measurement of the inhibition thereof by UCC blockers, the kinetics of the cytoplasmic calcium ion concentration in fura-2-charged cells is quantified fluorometrically using the method described by GRYNKIEWICZ et al. (1985). This procedure has proved a reliable screening method, within the scope of the invention, for detecting UCC blockers.

So-called functional THAPSIGARGIN inhibition has proved suitable for the specific characterisation of blockers of the unselective cation channels. THAPSIGARGIN is a tumour promoter described by THASTRUP et al. (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA), 87, 2466-2470, 1990) which selectively and irreversibly inhibits the Ca.sup.2+ -ATPase of intracellular IP.sub.3 -sensitive Ca.sup.2+ -stores. Consequently the Ca.sup.2+ -stores are rapidly depleted. As described by J. PUTNEY (Calcium, 11, 611-624, 1990) the depletion of these stores constitutes the physiological stimulation for opening up unselective cation channels in the cell membrane. The result of this is a massive influx of Na.sup.+ and Ca.sup.2+ into the cell. Because of these properties, Thapsigargin is suitable as an indirect stimulator for agonist- and IP.sub.3 -independent opening up of the unselective cation channels.

Within the scope of the present invention the Thapsigargin stimulation of unselective cation channels has been carried out successfully on HL 60 cells (human leukaemia cells), on hippocampal and cortical neurone cells and on RBL-cells (rat basophilic lymphoma cells) and in this way the existence of these channels in particular cell lines was demonstrated.

The cytoplasmic Ca.sup.2+ concentration (�Ca.sup.2+ !.sub.i) plays an important part in the cell proliferation and in tumour growth (for a summary see L. R. ZACHARSKI, Journal of Medicine 19: 145-177, 1988). In particular, the Ca.sup.2+ -influx into the cell stimulated by receptor activation with consecutive inositoltriphosphate-(IP.sub.3 -)-mediation would appear to be of crucial importance for oncogenic cell proliferation (U. KIKKAWA and Y. NISHIZUKA, Ann. REV. CELL. BIOL. 2: 149-178, 1986). This mechanism also plays a part in the formation of metastases and in "Multi-Drug Resistance". (For a summary see the above-mentioned publication by L. R. ZACHARSKI, J. MED. 19: 145-177, 1980).

This hypothesis is supported by the fact that Thapsigargin, as an indirect stimulator of the unselective cation channels (UCC) not only leads to a Ca.sup.2+ -overload in the cell but is also a highly effective tumour promoter. (V. THASTRUP et al. Proceedings of the NATL. Acad. Sci: (USA) 87: 2466-2470, 1990).

The blockade of the Ca.sup.2+ -influx by the UCC leads to normalisation of the intracellular Ca-ion concentration and hence to inhibition of tumour growth etc.

Conventional calcium antagonists do not inhibit these UCC. It has been found, surprisingly, that the compounds according to this invention inhibit the influx of calcium into the cell through the UCC.

As shown by S. H. MURCH et al. (Lancet 339: 381-385, 15. Feb. 1992) endothelin I plays an important pathophysiological role in inflammatory intestinal diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Using immunohistochemical methods it has been shown that patients with Crohn's disease in the region of the submucosa and patients with ulcerative colitis in the region of the lamina propria of the epithelium of the large intestine show significantly and greatly increased concentrations of endothelin I compared with healthy normal people. It is assumed that the local secretion of endothelin causes massive vasospasms with consecutive disseminated ischaemia with microinfarcts which are regarded as the actual cause of the above diseases. The vasospasmogenic effectiveness of endothelin is explained by a Ca.sup.2+ -overload of vascular myocytes. Endothelin primarily triggers an IP.sub.3 -mediated intracellular release of Ca.sup.2+ which is followed by a massive transmembranal Ca.sup.2+ -entry through dihydropyridine-insensitive channels. (M. S. Simonson et al. Clin. Invest. Med. 14: 499-507, 1991; T. Masakai, J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol. 13:Suppl. 5, S1-S4, 1989; D. W. Hay, R. J. Pharmacol. 100: 383-392, 1990). These channels are unselective cation channels which have also been briefly described as existing in cells of the large intestine mucosa. (Chr. Siemer and H. Gogelein, Europ. J. Physiol. 420: 319-328, 1992).

The endothelin-stimulated activation of fura-2-charged human leukaemia cells (HL 60 cells) has proved a suitable screening model for detecting functional endothelin antagonists. In conformity with G. GRYNKIEWICZ et al. (J. Biol. Chem. 260:3440-3450, 1985) the intracellular Ca.sup.2+ -concentration in the cytoplasm of HL 60 cells (suspensions) can be monitored by spectrofluorometry and quantified as a measurement of cell activation by endothelin. The stimulation was effected by adding 0.1 .mu.M endothelin and could be inhibited in a dosage-dependent manner by means of the substances according to the invention.

The functional endothelin antagonism of the substances according to the invention is mediated through a blockade of the unselective cation channels. Consequently, detection of a functional Thapsigargin-antagonism on RBL-hm1 cells is also a suitable screening method for functional endothelin antagonists.

Carrying out the investigation:

For screening purposes, fura-2-charged adhesive RBL-hm 1 cells are stimulated with 0.1 .mu.M Thapsigargin in a Ca.sup.2+ -free incubation medium. After 4 minutes, extracellular Ca.sup.2+ is restored to a concentration of 1.5 mM and, using the fura-2-fluorescence, the excessive increase in the cytoplasmic Ca.sup.2+ -concentration caused by a massive transmembranal Ca.sup.2+ -entry through unselective cation channels is recorded.

This entry is to be inhibited solely by unselective cation channel blockers in a dosage-dependent manner. Neither conventional calcium antagonists nor specific blockers of agonists which stimulate the IP.sub.3 -turnover are able to inhibit the transmembranal Ca.sup.2+ -entry triggered indirectly by Thapsigargin. The compounds of the present invention are distinguished by their inhibition of UCC.

The fluorometric calcium measurement in the cytoplasm of individual adhering RBL-hm1 cells is carried out analogously to the method described by KUDO and OGURA (1986) for neuronal cells. An AXIOVERT 35 fluorescence microscope made by ZEISS is used in conjunction with an imaging system made by HAMAMATSU, consisting of the ICMS-image processing system, residual light camera with control unit and image intensifier DVS 3000.

The kinetics of the cytoplasmic Ca.sup.2+ -concentration is recorded continuously as a concentration/time curve after the cell activation stimulated by Thapsigargin (0.1 .mu.M). The curves of two activated cell cultures are compared in the presence and absence of 10 .mu.M test substance. The area under these curves (area under the curve=AUC) is integrated and recorded as a measurement of cell activation. The inhibitory potency of the UCC-blockers tested is determined using the following equation: ##EQU1## %H=the percentage inhibition of the calcium entry through unselective cation channels which is stimulated and inhibited by 10 .mu.M of test substance.

AUC.sub.inh =area under the curve recorded in the presence of the stimulant plus 10 .mu.M inhibitory test substance.

AUC.sub.control =area under the curve which is recorded only after the addition of the stimulant.

LITERATURE RELATING TO THE ABOVE EXPLANATIONS

BARNES P. J., I. W. RODGER and N. C. THOMSON Pathogenesis of asthma, in "ASTHMA, basic mechanisms and clinical management"ED by P. J. BARNES; ACADEMIC PRESS, LONDON, 1988 GRYNKIEWICZ G., M. POENIE and R. Y. TSIEN A new generation of Ca.sup.2+ -indicators with greatly improved fluorescence properties J. BIOL. CHEM. 260: 3440-3450, 1985 HIDE, M. and M. A. BEAVEN Calcium influx in a rat mast cell (RBL-2H3) line J. BIOL. CHEM. 266 15221-15229, 1991 KUDO, Y. and A. OGURA Glutamate-induced increase in intracellular Ca.sup.2+ -concentration in isolated hippocampal neurones BR. J. PHARMACOL. 89: 191-198, 1986 PUTNEY, J. W., jr. Capacitative Calcium entry revised CELL CALCIUM 11: 611-624, 1990 RINK, T. J. Receptor-mediated calcium entry FEBS LETT. 268: 381-385, 1990 SEIFERT, R. and G. SCHULTZ The superoxide forming NADPH oxidase of phagocytes: An enzyme system regulated by multiple mechanism REV. PHYSIOL. BIOCHEM. PHARMACOL., Vol. 117, SPRINGER VERL., 1991 WELLS, E., C. G. JACKSON, S. T. HARPER, J. MANN and R. P. EAOY

Characterization of primate bronchoalveolar mast cells II, inhibition of histamine, LTC.sub.4 and PGF.sub.2.alpha. release from primate bronchoalveolar mast cells and a comparison with rat peritoneal mast cells

J. IMMUNOL. 137: 3941-3945, 1986. Results of measurement:

The percentage inhibition of UCC after Thapsigargin stimulation (0.1 .mu.M Thapsigargin) in RBL-hm 1 cells is given. The uniform concentration of the test substances is 10.sup.-5 mol).

TABLE 21______________________________________(Data relating to compounds of Tables 1-10)RBL - hm 1 cells - Thapsigargin (0.1 .mu.M) stimulationCompoundNo. % Inhibition______________________________________3 F 41.914 F 66.535 F 80.169 F 67.5914 F 80.1617 F 52.5318 F 57.5320 F 57.3833 60.5536 F 52.1937 F 75.7738a (oxalate) 52.6439 48.6240 64.9941 (Structure I) F 57.2242 84.8343 F 48.6946 68.0648 61.3483 66.7689 53.38B 72.35C 63.45E F 81.89F 48.01G 57.52H 57.06K 76.31L 53.14O 63.32Q 64.28101 59.62102 F 80.77104 54.67105 45.09106 F 65.69108 44.45109 74.18115 75.53132 F 65.14133 68.15______________________________________

The activity data (%inhibition and IC.sub.50) for other compounds are contained in Tables 13-20.

The functional antiinflammatory effectiveness can be demonstrated by means of the following test:

Individual RBL-2H3-cells (a tumour cell line related to the mast cells) adhering to glass slides are used.

The cultivation and attachment of the RBL-2H3-cells are carried out by the method described by HIDE and BEAVEN (1991). In order to sensitise the adhesive RBL-2H3-cells the cells are incubated for 2 hours at ambient temperature with a 1:2000 diluted commercial gammaglobulin E-solution against a dinitrophenol-bovine serum albumin complex (DNP-BSA-antigen). The cells are then washed. By the addition of 0.1 ml of DNP-BSA-solution (10 .mu.g/ml) there is a massive immunological cell activation which is mediated by a cytoplasmic Ca.sup.2+ -overload. The fluorometric calcium measurement in the cytoplasm of individual adhering RBL-2H3-cells is carried out analogously to the method described by KUDO and OGURA (1986) for neuronal cells, which is also explained hereinbefore in this specification.

The comparison used in these investigations is (-10 .mu.M) chromoglycate which brings about an approximately 50% inhibition of the antigen-induced cell activation.

In this test the above-mentioned compounds demonstrate %H values which are comparable with the values specified hereinbefore.

Tests on microcultures of various human tumour cell lines using the tetrazolium assay in order to determine the antiproliferative effect of the substances according to the invention surprisingly showed that the compound tested was 5 to 100 times more potent than the comparison substance Verapamil.

The antiproliferative effectiveness of the test substances was determined by means of the MTT test described by MOSMANN (J. IMMUNOL. METH. 65: 55-63, 1983), DENIZOT et al. (J. IMMUNOL. METH. 89: 271-277, 1986) and J. ELIASON et al. (INT. J. CANCER 46: 113-117, 1990). (MTT=�3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide! produced by CHEMICON Inc. El Segundo, Calif., USA). This indicator is metabolised only by living cells with intact mitochondria into a blue formazane product. The following human tumour cell lines were used in our test: A 549 (adenocarcinoma of the lung), A 431 (epidermal carcinoma of the vulva), PC 3 (adenocarcinoma of the prostate), SK BR 3 (adenocarcinoma of the breast), HT 29 (CX1 1) (adenocarcinoma of the colon) and K 562 (chronic myeloid leukaemia cell). The test was carried out on microtitre plates. Each well contained 100 .mu.l of a cell suspension (0.2.times.10.sup.6 cells per ml). The incubation medium used was RPMI 1640 with 10% heat-inactivated foetal calves' serum and 50 .mu.g/ml of gentamycin. The cell suspensions were incubated for 0, 24, 48 or 72 hours in air with a humidity at saturation point in a CO.sub.2 (5%)/air (95%) mixture at 37.degree. C., incubated in the presence and absence of variable concentrations of antiproliferative test substances. The test substances were dissolved in DMSO (final dilution: 0.1%). Then 10 .mu.l of MTT-solution (3 mg/ml) were added, followed after 3 hours by 100 .mu.l of an isopropanol solution containing 0.08N HCl. After a further hour, the light absorption at 570 nm (comparative wavelength 630 nm) was determined in a microplate reader. The light absorption is directly proportional to the number of living cells. The half-maximum inhibitory concentrations of the substances tested were 1 .mu.g/ml.

The vasospasmolytic effectiveness of the above-mentioned functional endothelin and Thapsigargin antagonists were confirmed on an isolated blood vessel preparation: coronary perfusion was continuously quantified, on retrogressively perfused, spontaneously beating LANGENDORFF hearts taken from rats, by means of electromagnetic flow measurement (apparatus supplied by Hugo Sachs Elektronik, MARCH). This measuring apparatus could be used to record the extent, duration and pattern of vascular spasms with a high degree of accuracy. If perfusion is carried out with 100 nM endothelin concentration, the coronary perfusion flow is reduced from 11 to 5 ml/min. The restriction in perfusion can be reversed by means of the substances according to the invention. The potencies of the compounds according to the invention with regard to Thapsigargin inhibition on fura-2-charged RBL-hm1-cells or the effectiveness of endothelin-inhibition on fura-2-charged HL 60 cells correlates clearly with the vasospasmolytic effectiveness of the test substances detected on the Langendorff preparation. It can be concluded from this that, underlying the vasospasmolytic endothelin antagonism of the substances tested, there is a blockade of the unselective cation channels.

EXAMPLES OF PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS

______________________________________a) Coated tablets______________________________________1 tablet core contains:Active substance of general formula I 30.0 mgLactose 100.0 mgCorn starch 75.0 mgGelatine 3.0 mgMagnesium stearate 2.0 mg 210.0 mg______________________________________ Preparation

The active substance mixed with lactose and corn starch is granulated with a 10% aqueous gelatine solution through a 1 mm mesh screen, dried at 40.degree. C. and rubbed through a screen once more. The granules thus obtained are mixed with magnesium stearate and compressed. The cores produced in this way are coated in the usual manner with a coating consisting of an aqueous suspension of sugar, titanium dioxide, talc and gum arabic. The finished coated tablets are polished with beeswax.

______________________________________b) Tablets______________________________________Active substance of general formula I 30.0 mgLactose 100.0 mgCorn starch 70.0 mgSoluble starch 7.0 mgMagnesium stearate 3.0 mg 210.0 mg______________________________________ Preparation

The active substance and magnesium stearate are granulated with an aqueous solution of the soluble starch, the granules are dried and intimately mixed with lactose and corn starch. The mixture is then compressed into tablets weighing 210 mg.

______________________________________c) Capsules______________________________________Active substance according to claim 1 20.0 mgLactose 230.0 mgCorn starch 40.0 mgTalc 10.0 mg 300.0 mg______________________________________ Preparation

The active substance, lactose and corn starch are first combined in a mixer and then in a grinding machine. The mixture is returned to the mixer, thoroughly combined with the talc and mechanically packed into hard gelatine capsules.

______________________________________d) Tablets______________________________________Active substance according to the invention 40.0 mgLactose 100.0 mgCorn Starch 50.0 mgColloidal silica 2.0 mgMagnesium stearate 3.0 mg Total 200.0 mg______________________________________ Preparation

The active substance is mixed with some of the excipients and granulated with a solution of the soluble starch in water. After the granules have been dried the remaining excipients are added and the mixture is compressed to form tablets.

______________________________________e) Coated tablets______________________________________Active substance according to the invention 20.0 mgLactose 100.0 mgCorn starch 65.0 mgColloidal silica 2.0 mgSoluble starch 5.0 mgMagnesium stearate 3.0 mg Total 195.0 mg______________________________________ Preparation

The active substance and excipients are compressed to form tablet cores as described in Example 1 which are then coated with sugar, talc and gum arabic in the usual way.

______________________________________f) Suppositories______________________________________Active substance according to the invention 50.0 mgLactose 250.0 mgSuppository mass q.s. ad 1.7 g______________________________________ Preparation

The active substance and lactose are mixed together and the mixture is uniformly suspended in the molten suppository mass. The suspensions are poured into cooled moulds to form suppositories weighing 1.7 g.

______________________________________g) Ampoules______________________________________Active substance according to the invention 20.0 mgSodium chloride 5.0 mgTwice distilled water q.s. ad 2.0 ml______________________________________ Preparation

The active substance and sodium chloride are dissolved in twice distilled water and the solution is transferred under sterile conditions into ampoules.

______________________________________h) Ampoules______________________________________Active substance according to the invention 10.0 mgSodium chloride 7.0 mgTwice distilled water q.s. ad 1.0 mg______________________________________ ______________________________________i) Drops______________________________________Active substance according to the invention 0.70 gMethyl p-hydroxybenzoate 0.07 gPropyl p-hydroxybenzoate 0.03 gDemineralised water q.s. ad 100.00 ml______________________________________ Preparation

The active substance and preservatives are dissolved in demineralised water, the solution is filtered and transferred into vials holding 100 ml.

Claims

1. A compound of formula ##STR272## wherein A is benzo m is 2 or 3

R.sup.2 is hydroxy, (C.sub.1-4)alkoxy, benzyloxy, halogen, (C.sub.1-4)alkyl, methanesulphonyloxy or methanesulphonamido or two adjacent R.sup.2 substituents together are --O--CH.sub.2 --O-- or --O--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O--

R.sup.1 is ##STR273## Wherein R is C.sub.1-4 -alkyl, hydroxy, --N.sub.3, halogen, CF.sub.3, C.sub.1-4 -alkoxy or --COH and u is 1, 2 or 3

R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 independently of each other are

(a) hydrogen

(b) branched or unbranched C.sub.3-6 -alkenyl,

(c) branched or unbranched C.sub.3-6 -alkynyl,

or

(d) branched or unbranched C.sub.1-12 -alkyl,

whilst the alkyl may be substituted by

hydroxy

(C.sub.1-4) alkoxy

di(C.sub.1-4)alkylamino

furyl

pyridyl

pyrrolidinyl, N-methyl pyrrolidinyl,

morpholino

indolyl

nitrilo

thienyl

adamantyl

cyclohexyl

phenoxy

naphthyloxy or phenyl, whilst this phenyl or the phenyl contained in the phenoxy group may be mono-, di- or tri-substituted by hydroxy, (C.sub.1-4)alkoxy, benzyloxy, halogen, CF.sub.3, N.sub.3, (C.sub.1-4)alkyl, adamantyl, --SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2, --NHCOCH.sub.3, --NHSO.sub.2 CH.sub.3 or CH.sub.3 SO.sub.2 O-- or by the bridge --O--CH.sub.2 --O--;

or R.sup.3 is hydrogen and R.sup.4 is cyclohexyl, phenyl, fluorophenyl, pyridyl or N-benzylpiperidyl;

or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bound represent pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, the group ##STR274## or piperazinyl, whilst the piperazinyl ring may optionally be N-substituted by methyl, unsubstituted phenyl, mono- or di- (C.sub.1-4) alkoxyphenyl, pyrimidinyl, phenyl (C.sub.1-4)alkyl or ##STR275## or a salt thereof with a physiologically acceptable acid, base or complexing agent.

2. The compound as recited in claim 1 wherein m is 2, and the two R.sup.2 are in positions 6 and 7.

3. The compound as recited in claim 1 wherein NR.sup.3 R.sup.4 is ##STR276##

4. The compound as recited in claim 1 wherein R is methoxy, methyl, F or N.sub.3.

5. A method for treating chronic inflammatory processes, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease in a warm-blooded animal, which comprises administering to said animal a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of claim 1.

6. A method for treating diseases in a warm-blooded animal that respond to an agent with anti-proliferative activity which comprises administering to said animal a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of claim 1.