Abstract:
The present invention provides a method of treating inflammatory and pyretic conditions in mammals, including humans, which comprises administering a derivative of 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranose to a mammal requiring treatment for an inflammatory or pyretic condition.

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 963,263, filed Nov. 24, 1978 (now abandoned), which application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 852,047, filed Nov. 16, 1977 (now abandoned). 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Over the past few years, research on non-acidic substances with an anti-inflammatory activity have increased. Of these, a few derivatives related structurally to the glucides have proved to be particularly interesting. 
     They normally exert a venotropic action and inhibit the effects of antigen-antibody reaction. A stimulating action on fibrinolytic activity has also been observed both in vitro and in vivo. A compound in this class which has been studied in some detail is tribenoside or ethyl-3,5,6-tri-O-benzyl-D-glucofuranoside (Glyvenol). 
     Interest in this class of compounds is not only associated with effective therapeutic activity but also with their innocuity at a gastric and general level. It is known that steroid and non-steroid anti-inflammatory agents give rise to very considerable side effects and, because of this, their use must often be discontinued or suspended or the dose reduced, thus seriously prejudicing the final therapeutic result. Phenylbutazone, acetylsalicylates and cortisones give rise to ulcerogenic effects of different intensity, even causing haemorrhagic manifestations which can be fatal; non-steroid anti-inflammatory agents can produce hepatotoxic manifestations, involving an immunitary mechanism of hypersensibilisation, with icteric-type manifestations or fatty degeneration. Some non-steroid anti-inflammatory agents, such as phenylbutazone, have been described as being nephrotoxic and they can give rise to neuropsychic disturbances and either sensory symptoms or allergic reactions at a cutaneous and staminal cell level. 
     Therefore, interest in atoxic anti-inflammatory agents is more than justified, bearing in mind that anti-inflammatory therapy is generally carried out on a medium or long-term basis. 
     Of the derivatives structurally related to the glucides, the best known is the above-mentioned ethyl 3,5,6-tri-O-benzyl-D-glucofuranoside (Glyvenol): ##STR1## This is a compound with anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic activity which is used in the treatment of venous disorders in order to reduce the permeability of blood vessel walls and to inhibit exudative processes. 
     Considering the novelty of its structure, we have investigated whether a pharmacological activity can even be found in similar but novel compounds. 
     Beginning, therefore, with D-glucose, we have prepared 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranose (II): ##STR2## as well as 1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranose and 1,2-O-isopropylidene-3,5,6-tri-O-benzyl-α-D-glucofuranose (1; Glen W. L., Myers G. S., Grant G. A., J. Chem. Soc., 2568/1951; (2) Meyer A. S., Reichstein T., Helv. Chim. Acta, 29, 139/1946; (3) Huber G., Rossi A., Helv. Chim. Acta, 51, 1185/1968) and have compared these compounds with (I) for anti-inflammatory activity against carrageenin-induced oedema (500 mg/kg, p.o. in rats). 
     Preliminary tests showed, surprisingly, that (II) has an activity which is fully comparable with that of (I). Therefore, we have prepared a number of 3-O-derivatives in order to obtain even more potent compounds. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Thus, according to the present invention, there is provided a method of treating inflammatory and pyretic conditions in mammals, including humans, which comprises administering a compound of the formula: ##STR3## wherein R is a straight-chained or branched alkyl radical containing at least 5 carbon atoms or an alkenyl radical containing at least 4 carbon atoms or an alkynyl radical or an acyloxy radical or an alkoxy radical or a carboxyalkyl radical or a radical of the general formula ##STR4## in which x is a whole number and R&#39; and R&#34;, which may be the same or different, are hydrogen atoms or alkyl radicals or in which R&#39; and R&#34;, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a heterocyclic ring which can contain an additional heteroatom; or an acid-addition salt thereof when (III) is a basic compound, to a mammal requiring treatment for an inflammatory or pyretic condition. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In general formula (III), the alkynyl, acyloxy, alkoxy and carboxyalkyl radicals preferably contain up to 6 carbon atoms and the alkyl radicals R&#39; and R&#34; preferably also contain up to 6 carbon atoms. When R&#39; and R&#34;, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a heterocyclic ring, this ring may additionally contain an oxygen, sulphur or second nitrogen heteroatom. Furthermore, x is preferably a whole number of up to 5. 
     In order to prepare the 3-O-substituted compounds (III), the compound (II) can be converted into the corresponding sodium salt and then reacted with an appropriate reagent in the usual manner [(1); (4) Shyluk W. P., Timell T. E., Can. J. Chem., 34, 575/1956]. Some of the compounds obtained have already been reported in literature but none of them has been evaluated for their biological activity. 
     Pharmacological tests were carried out to evaluate the acute toxicity, anti-inflammatory and capillary permeability action, antipyretic, analgesic and anti-spasmodic in vitro action. Compound (I) was used as a reference compound, together with aspirin and phenylbutazone. 
     The compounds which have been prepared are summarised in Table 1, together with their physico-chemical characteristics, the method of synthesis and the yields obtained. 
     
                                           TABLE I__________________________________________________________________________3-O-derivatives of 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranose ##STR5##__________________________________________________________________________Compound               Molecular                         Method ofNo.   R           M.W. formula.sup.(a)                         synthesis__________________________________________________________________________II    H           260.28                  C.sub.12 H.sub.20 O.sub.6III   CH.sub.3    274.31                  C.sub.13 H.sub.22 O.sub.6IV    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3             288.33                  C.sub.14 H.sub.24 O.sub.6V     (CH.sub.2).sub.2 CH.sub.3             302.36                  C.sub.15 H.sub.26 O.sub.6VI    (CH.sub.2).sub.3 CH.sub.3             316.38                  C.sub.16 H.sub.28 O.sub.6VII   (CH.sub.2).sub.4 CH.sub.3             330.41                  C.sub.17 H.sub.30 O.sub.6                         AVIII  (CH.sub.2).sub.15 CH.sub.3             484.70                  C.sub.28 H.sub.52 O.sub.6                         AIX    CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2             300.34                  C.sub.15 H.sub.24 O.sub.6X     CH.sub.2 C CH             298.33                  C.sub.15 H.sub.22 O.sub.6                         AXI    CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5             350.40                  C.sub.19 H.sub.26 O.sub.6XII   COCH.sub.3  302.32                  C.sub.14 H.sub.22 O.sub.7                         DXIII  CH.sub.2 COOH             318.32                  C.sub.14 H.sub.22 O.sub.8                         CXIV   (CH.sub.2).sub.2 N(CH.sub.3).sub.2             331.40                  C.sub.16 H.sub.29 NO.sub.6                         BXV    (CH.sub.2).sub.2 N(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3).sub.2             359.45                  C.sub.18 H.sub.33 NO.sub.6XVI   (CH.sub.2).sub.2 N[(CH.sub.2).sub.2 CH.sub.3 ].sub.2             387.50                  C.sub.20 H.sub.37 NO.sub.6                         BXVII  (CH.sub.2).sub.2 N[CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2 ].sub.2             387.50                  C.sub.20 H.sub.37 NO.sub.6                         BXVIII  ##STR6##   357.44                  C.sub.18 H.sub.31 NO.sub.6                         BXIX  ##STR7##   371.46                  C.sub.19 H.sub.33 NO.sub.6                         BXX  ##STR8##   373.44                  C.sub.18 H.sub.31 NO.sub.7                         BXXI   (CH.sub.2).sub.2 N(CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.2             483.58                  C.sub.28 H.sub.37 NO.sub.6                         BXXII  (CH.sub.2).sub.3 N(CH.sub.3).sub.2             345.43                  C.sub.17 H.sub.31 NO.sub.6                         B__________________________________________________________________________ .sup.(a) All compounds were analysed for C and H; basic derivatives were also analysed for N and were within ± 0.4% of theoretical values. 
    
     
         Compound Yield     Lit.        b.p. (mm) orNo.   %   ref.        m.p., °C..sup.(b)                n.sub.D.sup. 20                    [a].sub.D.sup. 20.spsp.(c)                          R.sub.f.sup.(d)__________________________________________________________________________                          0.16 (1)II        1  109.sup.(e)                --  -11                          0.90 (2)III       1  77-80 (0.2)                1.4560                    -30.3 0.51 (1)(IV)      1  95-96 (0.3)                1.4517                    -27.9 0.60 (1)(V)       1  100-102(0.25)                1.4495                    -26.9 0.70 (1)(VI)      1  120-123(1.0)                1.4492                    -25.5 0.72 (1)(VII) 70     112-114(0.25)                1.4504                    -24.3 0.74 (1)(VIII) 44     180-182(0.25)                1.4583                    -14.7 0.78 (1)(IX)      .sup.(5)        115-118(0.2)                1.4608                    -22   0.62 (1)(X)   60     120-125(0.5)                1.4707                    -12.6 0.57 (1)(XI)      .sup.(6)        123-126(0.25)                1.4985                    -24.8 0.63 (1)(XII) 82     50-52.sup.(f)                --  -28.5 0.40 (1)(XIII) 75     .sup.(g)                1.4592                    -19.7.sup.(h)                          0 (1 and                          2)(XIV) 65     114-116(0.25)                1.4584                    -27.6 0.37 (2)(XV)      .sup.(7)        120-122(0.25)                1.4597                    -24.8 0.43 (2)(XVI) 72     132-134(0.5)                1.4504                    -22.5 0.48 (2)(XVII) 78     136-137(0.25)                1.4591                    -21.1 0.68 (2)(XVIII) 66     135-136(0.25)                1.4711                    -26.1 0.46 (2)(XIX) 68     134-136(0.5)                1.4739                    -26   0.50 (2)(XX)  73     150-153(0.2)                1.4742                    -24.2 0.86 (2)(XXI) 57     180-182(0.2)                1.5251                    -18   0.59 (1)(XXII) 50     115-117(0.2)                1.4580                    -28   0.42 (2)__________________________________________________________________________ .sup.(b) Boiling and melting points are uncorrected .sup.(c) At 2% concentration in ethanol .sup.(d) Thin layer chromatography on Merck 60 F.sub.254 strips, solvent system No. 1: diisopropyl ether  ligroin (70:30 v/v); No.2: chloroform methanol acetic acid (85:14:1 v/v); detection: iodine vapour .sup.(e) Recrystallised from ligroin (b.p. 80°-120° C.) .sup.(f) Recrystallised from petroleum ether (b.p. 40°-60° C.) .sup.(g) The product could not be distilled without decomposition .sup.(h) At 2% concentration in ethanol:chloroform (1:1 v/v) .sup.(5) Hoiness D.E. et al., Can.J.Chem., 46, 667/1968 .sup.(6) Iwashige T. et al., Chem.Pharm.Bull., 15, 1803/1967 .sup.(7) Roberts E.J. et al., Can.J.Chem., 45, 261/1967. 
    
     The compounds can be prepared according to one of the following 4 methods: 
     Method A 
     3-n-Pentyl-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranose (VII) 
     6 g (0.25 mol) sodium hydride were added portionwise, while stirring, to a solution of 26 g (0.1 mol) 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranose in 200 ml. anhydrous toluene. The reaction mixture was heated under gentle reflux for 1.5 hours, then 45 g. (0.3 mol) 1-bromopentane were added dropwise, whereafter the reaction mixture was further heated for 24 hours. Since chromatographic control showed that some of the starting material had not reacted, an additional 6 g. sodium hydride and 45 g. 1-bromopentane were added and the reaction mixture refluxed for a further 48 hours. After cooling, the suspension was carefully treated with water and the toluene layer was separated, dried with anhydrous sodium sulphate and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue was mixed with petroleum ether (b.p. 40°-60° C.), any insoluble matter being discarded, and the solution was then evaporated to dryness. The oily residue was distilled in a vacuum to give (VII), in the form of a colourless oil; b.p. 112°-114°  C./0.25 mm.Hg. 
     Method B 
     3-(2-Dimethylaminoethyl)-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranose (XIV) 
     24 g. (0.5 mol) sodium hydride (50% dispersion in oil) were added portionwise, while stirring, to a solution of 52 g. (0.2 mol) 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranose in 300 ml. anhydrous toluene. The reaction mixture was gently refluxed for 1.5 hours and then a solution of 64.5 g. (0.6 mol) 1-chloro-2-dimethylaminoethane in 200 ml. anhydrous toluene was added dropwise. After boiling for 48 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled, washed with water and extracted with diluted hydrochloric acid. The acid extract was washed with toluene, treated with a dilute aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide until moderately alkaline and the oil which separated was extracted with diethyl ether. 
     After drying the ethereal extract, the solvent was evaporated and the residue was purified by distillation to give (XIV) in the form of an almost colourless oil; b.p. 114°-116° C./0.25 mm. Hg. 
     Method C 
     3-Carboxymethyl-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranose (XIII) 
     A solution of 26 g. (0.1 mol) 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranose in 200 ml. dioxan was treated with 12 g. (0.25 mol) sodium hydride (50% dispersion in oil) as in the preceding Example, whereafter 32.2 g. (0.3 mol) sodium chloroacetate were added and the reaction mixture then refluxed for 24 hours. The solvent was then removed in a vacuum and the residue was extracted, while cooling, with dilute aqueous sodium hydroxide solution, whereafter the aqueous solution was washed with chloroform and acidified and the product which separated was extracted with chloroform. After drying, the solvent was distilled off to give (XIII) in the form of a viscous oil which could not be distilled without decomposition. 
     Method D 
     3-Acetyl-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranose (XII) 
     100 g. acetic anhydride were added to a solution of 26 g. (0.1 mol) 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranose in 200 ml. pyridine and the reaction mixture then stirred overnight at ambient temperature, whereafter it was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure and temperature. The residue was dissolved in diethyl ether, the ethereal solution was thoroughly washed with water and dried and the solvent was distilled off. The remaining oil solidified upon standing to give (XII), which was crystallised from petroleum ether (b.p. 40°-60° C.) to give colourless crystals; m.p. 50°-52° C. 
     The results of the pharmacological tests are summarised in the following Table 2. By the oral route, all the compounds had a low toxicity, some of them (VIII, IX, XI-XII and reference compound I) being well tolerated even at a dose of 4,000 mg./kg. 
     
                       TABLE 2______________________________________       Anti-inflammatory activity       500 mg/kg p.o. rat                       200 mg/kg       % inhibition    p.o. rat       of edema        %Com-  Approx. LD.sub.50             induced by        inhibitionpound (mouse)     carra-  dex-          ofNo.   mg/kg p.o.  geenan  tran  formalin                                   granuloma______________________________________II    4000        33      0     19      0III   2000        51      35    25      0IV    2000        37      14    33V     1000        28      0     0VI    3000        33      13    24VII   4000        62      31    48      19VIII  &gt;4000       13      0     0IX    &gt;4000       68      39    29      16X     1500        53      65    36      0XI    &gt;4000       39      0     21XII   &gt;4000       21      0     9XIII  &gt;4000       10      4     18XIV   1500        62      54    28      0XV    3000        60      58    4       0XVI   750         23      41    24      0XVII  1000        73      35    32      0XVIII 1500        68      64    38      0XIX   &gt;1000       64      56    28XX    1500        59      65    43      0XXI   &gt;2000       29      17    19XXII  2000        39      59    37      0Aspirin 1000        53      47    29      12Phenyl-butazone 1000        52.sup.e                     15.sup.e                           13.sup.e                                   31I     &gt;4000       20      0     14      0______________________________________            Analgesic            activity            (500            mg/kg            p.o.Cap-             mouse.sup.billary           In-permea-          creasebility  Antipyretic            of      Protec-                          Antispasmodic activity(500 mg/kg   activity re-     tion  in vitro, ED.sub.50 (γ/ml)p.o. mouse   (400 mg/kg            action  from  Inhib. of spasm                          byDe-     p.o. rat)            time    writh-        acetyl-crease %   %.sup.a  %.sup.c ing % histamine                                  choline______________________________________46      63       0       20    &gt;100    &gt;10037      70       20      20    100     &gt;10042      31       30       0    150     &gt;10053      37       10      20    &gt;100    &gt;10057      51       40       0    &gt;100    &gt;1004        0       0       20    &gt;100    &gt;10022       0       0       2043      44       0       20    60      60   107      0       20    50      5029       8       0       20    &gt;100    &gt;10026       0       20       0    &gt;100    &gt;10014       5       0        0    &gt;100    &gt; 10035      43       10      20    100     &gt;10020       8       10       0    100     &gt;100   29       0        0    12      10032      15       0       40    70      10050       0       10       0    100     &gt;10017      5558      14       40       0    &gt;100    &gt;100   25       0       6026      30       10      20     6      10073.sup.d   100      70      100   &gt;100    &gt;10075.sup.d   85       10      100   &gt;100    &gt;10048       9       10       0    20      30______________________________________ .sup.a Activity expressed as potency in comparison with aspirin = 100 .sup.b Compounds and standards were inactive with tail pinch test .sup.c Hot plate test .sup.d At a dose of 400 mg/kg p.o. .sup.e At a dose of 200 mg/kg p.o. 
    
     The anti-inflammatory activity tests showed that all the tested 3-O-substituted 1,2:5,6di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranose compounds have a good activity and, in particular, some saturated (III, VII) and unsaturated (IX, X) alkyl derivatives and the basic derivatives in general (XIV-XXII) were clearly more active than (I) in inhibiting oedema induced by carrageenin, dextran and formalin and are as potent as or more potent than aspirin and phenylbutazone. 
     Among the compounds tested, (VII) and (IX) also showed some inhibitory activity in the granuloma cotton pellet test. 
     The capillary permeability test, which is one of the best tests for demonstrating the action typical of the reference compound (I), showed the same degree of activity for several of the new test compounds without evident correlation with the structure of the R-substituent. However, the reduction of the permeability obtained was lower than that obtained with aspirin and phenylbutazone. 
     Another characteristic activity common to most of the compounds to be used according to the present invention is the antipyretic action, which is also present in the parent compound (II) not substituted in the 3-position, and is retained in some of the short-chain, saturated (III, VI) and unsaturated (IX, X) alkyl derivatives, and in some of the basic derivatives (XIV, XIX). This activity was generally lower than in the case of the reference compounds aspirin and phenylbutazone but much higher than in the case of (I), which had little or no activity. 
     The analgesic action was, in all cases, moderate or nil, in analogy with reference compound (I). 
     The antispasmodic activity tests in vitro demonstrated that (XVI) and (XXII) inhibited spasms induced by histamine at relatively low concentrations, whilst the unsaturated derivatives (IX) and (X) were also moderately active against spasms produced by acetylcholine. The potency of the action was comparable to that of (I), whilst aspirin and phenylbutazone were inactive. 
     In conclusion, the pharmacological results obtained verify that 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glycofuranose and the 3-O-substituted derivatives thereof constitute a new class of compounds which have a notable anti-inflammatory and antipyretic action, are able to decrease the permeability of venous walls and, in some cases, have an antagonistic action with regard to biogenous amines. 
     These activities are of interest pharmacologically and practically, especially when considering that some of the compounds also have a very low toxicity. In comparison with the reference compound (I), some compounds, for example 3-O-allyl-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranose (IX), demonstrate, in this preliminary pharmacological screening, an analogous or even better spectrum and potency of action. 
     The compounds used according to the present invention can be administered in admixture with a solid, liquid or semi-liquid pharmaceutical diluent or carrier. 
     Compositions which can be used in carrying out the method according to the present invention include gelatine capsules and, after admixture with an appropriate carrier, tablets, effervescent tablets, dragees, capsules, powders, emulsions, oily solutions and syrups for oral administration, as well as suppositories, injection solutions and ointments or tinctures for topical use, which are convenient in cases of local inflammation in humans and mammals. In all cases, the active compounds are diluted with an appropriate amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable solid or liquid vehicle, optionally in association with other active materials, for example vitamins. 
     Typical dosages for the active compounds used according to the present invention are 200 mg. orally and 400 mg. rectally. For topical use, there is typically used a conventional carrier for this purpose containing 5% by weight of the active compound. A preferred form for oral administration is a gelatine capsule containing an aqueous alcoholic solution of the active compound and a similar form can be used for rectal administration.