Antihistamine, anticholinergic and cardiovascular effects of 2-substituted-4-phenylquinoline derivatives

Eleven new derivatives of 4-phenylquinoline, having various substituents at the 2-position of the quinoline ring, were previously synthesized. The antidepressant activities of these derivatives were demonstrated by their antagonism to reserpine-induced hypothermia in mice. The ED50 values were found to be in the range of 12-42 mg/kg (imipramine is 21.0 mg/kg). In the present work, comparative studies of the effects of these new drugs on the cholinergic and histaminergic (H1) systems, as well as their effects on the cardiovascular system, are presented. Both imipramine and trazodone were utilized as standards representing typical and atypical antidepressant drugs, respectively. All these new compounds have very low antihistaminic (H1) activities, as compared to imipramine. In addition, a clear cut separation of the antidepressant activity from the antihistaminic (H1) activity was observed. These compounds have weak anticholinergic (atropine-like properties) activity as compared to imipramine, using the isolated guinea-pig ileum. Animal studies of the cardiac toxicity of these compounds showed reduced lethality for some of them as compared to imipramine. Arrhythmias commonly associated with imipramine were absent for most of these compounds. The effects of these compounds on the heart conduction were determined by electrocardiographic studies. Although some of these compounds do not interfere with heart conduction, as compared to imipramine most were inferior to trazodone. Correlation between the pharmacological activities and structural modifications of these derivatives has also been observed.