# Patent

## Title
Compounds and methods for treating urinary incontinence

## Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of α1L-agonists for treating urinary incontinence.

## Background
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/536,728, filed Mar. 28, 2000, which is a division of prior application Ser. No. 09/227,944, filed Jan. 11, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,268,389 which is a continuation under 37 C.F.R. §1.53(b) of prior application Ser. No. 08/913,900, filed Feb. 26, 1998, now abandoned, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §371, claiming benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §120, from PCT/EP96/01568 filed Apr. 13, 1996. Each of these prior applications is incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the use of α1L-agonists for treating urinary incontinence, particularly stress incontinence.
The cause of stress incontinence in women is usually weakness of the pelvic floor, e.g. after numerous difficult births. However, it may also be due to nerve disorders of the pelvic floor, a congenitally short urethra or, occasionally, damage to the sphincter caused by surgery. The reduction in the oestrogen levels post-menopause further encourages stress incontinence.
The term stress incontinence refers to a sudden loss of urine, which is caused by incompetence of the bladder outlet during unobtrusive movement of the bladder as a result of interabdominal increases in pressure due to coughing, pressing, sneezing, heavy lifting, etc.
Surprisingly, it has been found that the α1L-subtype of the adrenergic receptor has a significant effect on the continence mechanism of urether tonicisation.
The invention relates to the use of α1L-adrenoceptor agonists for treating urinary incontinence, particularly stress incontinence, and for preparing drugs for treating urinary incontinence, particularly stress incontinence. It is particularly interesting to use amino imidazolines of general formula 




and the pharmacologically acceptable acid addition salts thereof.

In general formula I

    Y denotes an optionally substituted phenyl or napthyl group or
    Y denotes a 5- or 6-membered, optionally fully unsaturated, optionally substituted heterocyclic ring which contains oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen as heteroatoms, and
    X denotes —NH—, —CH2—, —OCH2—, —O—CHCH3—, —CH═N—NH—, —N═N— or —NZ—, wherein Z=—CH2—CH═CH2 or cyclopropylmethyl.


Preferred compounds are those wherein X is —NH— and/or Y is an optionally substituted thienyl, furyl, pyrrole, tetrahydropyrrole, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl, 1,3-thiazolyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, 1,2,4-triazolyl, 1,2,3-triazolyl, tetrazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyrimidinyl, thiazolyl, thiadiazinyl or piperidinyl, bound to the group X via a C atom. It is preferred to use tiamenidine.
Preferred compounds for this purpose are imidazolines of general formula 




or imidazolines of general formula 




wherein

    R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 denote, independently of one another:
    hydrogen, C1-6-alkyl, preferably C1-4-alkyl, most preferably methyl, C3-6-cycloalkyl, preferably cyclopropyl, C1-6-alkoxy, preferably C1-4-alkoxy, most preferably methoxy, halogen, preferably chlorine or bromine, —CF3, —OCF3 or —NR6R7 wherein
    
        R6 denotes hydrogen, C3-6-cycloalkyl, C1-6-alkyl, preferably C1-4-alkyl, most preferably methyl, or C2-4-acyl, most preferably acetyl,
        R7 -denotes hydrogen, C3-6-cycloalkyl, preferably cyclopropyl, C1-6-alkyl, preferably C1-4-alkyl, most preferably methyl, or C2-4-acyl, most preferably acetyl; or
        R6 and R7 together with the nitrogen atom form a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated ring which may contain up to two further heteroatoms selected from oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen, whilst each additional nitrogen atom may be substituted by C1-4-alkyl, preferably methyl;
        or R6 and R7 together with the nitrogen atom form phthalimido; or
    
    
    R1 and R2 together form a fused pyrazole of formula 



    
        wherein R8 is C1-3-alkyl, preferably methyl;

or a fused thiadiazole of formula 




    
    
    wherein R3, R4 and R5 are as hereinbefore defined, and preferably denote hydrogen,

and the pharmacologically acceptable acid addition salts thereof.



Formulae I and I′ and Ib and II are equivalent tautomeric structures. The preparation of one structure (e.g. Ib) includes the other structure (e.g. II) in each case.
Also preferred are imidazolines of general formula Ib 




wherein

    R1 denotes hydrogen, ethyl, methyl, fluorine, chlorine, bromine or CF3,
    R2 denotes methyl, fluorine, chlorine, bromine or —NR6R7, wherein
    R6 denotes hydrogen, C1-4-alkyl, preferably methyl, C2-4-acyl, preferably acetyl and
    R7 denotes hydrogen, C1-4-alkyl, preferably methyl, C2-4-acyl, preferably acetyl or
    R6 and R7 together with the nitrogen atom form phthalimido;
    R3 denotes hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, C1-4-alkyl, preferably methyl, NH2 or cyclopropyl;
    R4 denotes hydrogen, C1-4-alkyl, preferably methyl, fluorine, chlorine, bromine or CF3;
    R5 denotes hydrogen, C1-4-alkyl, preferably ethyl or methyl, fluorine, chlorine, bromine or CF3; or
    R1 and R2 together form a fused pyrazole of formula 




     wherein R8 is methyl,
    or a fused thiadiazole of the formula 




     wherein R3, R4 and R5 are as hereinbefore defined, and preferably represent hydrogen; particularly those wherein
    R1 is hydrogen or methyl;
    R2 is methyl, chlorine, CF3, NH2 or N(CH3)2;
    R3 is hydrogen, methyl, chlorine or bromine;
    R4 is hydrogen;
    R5 is hydrogen, methyl, methoxy, chlorine or bromine.


Particular mention should be made of the use of

    2-(3-dimethylamino-2-methylphenylimino)imidazolidine,
    2-(6-bromo-3-dimethylamino-2-methylphenylimino)imidazolidine,
    2-(5-amino-2-chloro-4-methylphenylimino)-imidazolidine,
    2-(3-amino-2-methylphenylimino)-imidazolidine or
    2-(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethylphenylimino)-imidazolidine.


Examples of heterocyclic groups —NR6R7 are as follows:

    pyrrole, Δ2-pyrroline, Δ3-pyrroline, tetrahydropyrrole, pyrrolidine, pyrrolidinone, imidazole, imidazoline, 1,3-thiazole, piperidine, piperazine, 4-C1-4-alkylpiperazine, C1-4-alkylpiperazine, 2,5-diketopiperazine, preferably N-methylpiperazine, morpholine, thiomorpholine, phthalimido or succinimido.


Examples of alkyl within the above definitions, including those which are components of other groups, are branched or unbranched C1-6-alkyl groups, e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec.-butyl and tert.-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl and isohexyl.
Cycloalkyl generally represents a saturated cyclic hydrocarbon group having 3 to 6 carbon atoms which may optionally be substituted with a halogen atom or several halogen atoms, a hydroxy group, an alkyl group, preferably methyl, which may be the same as or different from one another. Examples include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexenyl.
Some of the imidazolines defined in general formula Ib are new. The invention therefore also relates to new substituted 2-phenylimino-imidazolidines, their use in pharmaceutical compositions and to processes for preparing them.
2-(Phenylimino)-imidazolidines, the preparation thereof and their use as pharmaceutical compositions are known, for example from German Patent Application Nos. DE-OS-19 29 950 and DE-OS-23 16 377, in which the hypotensive properties of the compounds described are particularly emphasised.
New substituted 2-(phenylimino)-imidazolidines of general formula II 




have surprising pharmacological properties and are particularly suitable for treating urinary incontinence.

The invention thus relates to compounds of general formula II 




wherein

    R1 denotes hydrogen, C1-6-alkyl, preferably C1-4-alkyl, most preferably methyl, C3-6-cycloalkyl, preferably cyclopropyl, C1-6-alkoxy, preferably C1-4-alkoxy, most preferably methoxy, halogen, preferably chlorine or bromine, —CF3 or —OCF3;
    R2 denotes —NR6R7 wherein
    
        R6 denotes hydrogen, C3-6-cycloalkyl, C1-6-alkyl, preferably C1-4-alkyl, most preferably methyl, C2-4-acyl, most preferably acetyl;
        R7 denotes hydrogen, cyclopropyl, C3-6-cycloalkyl, C1-6-alkyl, preferably C1-4-alkyl, most preferably methyl, C2-4-acyl, most preferably acetyl; or
        R6 and R7 together with the nitrogen atom form a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated ring which may contain up to two additional heteroatoms selected from the group of oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen, whilst each additional nitrogen atom may be substituted by C1-4-alkyl, preferably methyl; or R6, and R7 together with the nitrogen atom from phthalimido;
    
    
    R3 denotes hydrogen, halogen, C1-6-alkyl, preferably C1-4-alkyl, most preferably methyl, C1-6-alkoxy, preferably C1-4-alkoxy, most preferably hydrogen, methoxy, —CF3 or —OCF3;
    R4 denotes hydrogen, C1-6-alkyl, preferably C1-4-alkyl, most preferably methyl, hydrogen or halogen;
    R5 denotes hydrogen, C1-6-alkyl, preferably C1-4-alkyl, most preferably methyl, C1-6-alkoxy, preferably C1-4-alkoxy, most preferably methoxy, halogen, —CF3 or —OCF3,

and the pharmacologically acceptable acid addition salts thereof, with the exception of 2-(3-diethylamino-2-methyl)-imidazolidine.



Preferred compounds of general formula II are those wherein

    R1 denotes hydrogen, C1-4-alkyl, cyclopropyl, C1-4-alkoxy, halogen, CF3 or —OCF3;
    R2 denotes —NR6R7 wherein
    R6 is hydrogen, C3-6-cycloalkyl, C1-4-alkyl or acetyl,
    R7 is hydrogen, cyclopropyl C1-4-alkyl or acetyl, or
    R6 and R7 together with the nitrogen atom form phthalimido;
    R3 is hydrogen, halogen, C1-4-alkyl, C1-4-alkoxy, CF3 or —OCF3;
    R4 is hydrogen, C1-4-alkyl, methyl, halogen;
    R5 is hydrogen, C1-4-alkyl, C1-4-alkoxy, halogen, CF3 or —OCF3; particularly those wherein
    R1 is hydrogen, C1-3-alkyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec.-butyl, preferably methyl, cyclopropyl, C1-3-alkoxy, preferably methoxy, halogen, preferably chlorine or bromine, CF3;
    R2 denotes —NR6R7 wherein
    R6 is hydrogen, cyclopropyl, C1-4-alkyl, preferably methyl,
    R7 denotes hydrogen, C1-4-alkyl, preferably methyl, or R6 and R7 together with the nitrogen atom form phthalimido;
    R3 denotes hydrogen, C1-3-alkyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec.-butyl, preferably methyl, cyclopropyl, C1-3-alkoxy, preferably methoxy, halogen, preferably chlorine or bromine, CF3;
    R4 denotes hydrogen, C1-3-alkyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec.-butyl, preferably methyl, cyclopropyl, C1-3-alkoxy, preferably methoxy, halogen, preferably chlorine or bromine;
    R5 denotes hydrogen, C1-3-alkyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec.-butyl, preferably methyl, cyclopropyl, C1-3-alkoxy, preferably methoxy, halogen, preferably chlorine or bromine, CF3; particularly those wherein
    R1 is hydrogen or methyl,
    R2 is —NR6R7 wherein
    R6 and R7 independently of each other denote hydrogen, methyl or methoxy or
    R6 and R7 together with the nitrogen atom form phthalimido;
    R3 denotes hydrogen, methyl, fluorine, chlorine or bromine;
    R4 denotes hydrogen,
    R5 denotes hydrogen, methyl, chlorine or bromine;

and the pharmacologically acceptable acid salts thereof, especially the hydrobromides or hydrochlorides thereof.



Particular mention should be made of the following compounds, for example:

    2-(3-dimethylamino-2-methylphenylimino)imidazolidine,
    2-(6-bromo-3-dimethylamino-2-methylphenylimino)imidazolidine,
    2-(5-amino-2-chloro-4-methylphenylimino)-imidazolidine and
    2-(3-amino-2-methylphenylimino)-imidazolidine.


The compounds of general formula I and II may be prepared according to analogous processes known per se from the prior art. A selection of the preferred processes are shown in the following synthetic schemes with reference to concrete Examples. 




The preferred processes for preparing the compounds according to the invention will be explained with reference to individual Examples. 




The methylation of the starting material, 2-methyl-3-nitroaniline, may also be carried out analogously to the Leuckart-Wallach reaction using HCOOH/CH2O or using dimethylcarbonate instead of dimethylsulphate.
Compound 2 can be prepared by bromination of compound 1 under conventional reaction conditions 




The following synthetic scheme illustrates the preparation of compounds 2, 3 and 4




Other alternative methods of synthesis are illustrated below. 




Compound 5 and compounds of similar structure can be prepared analogously to a method described by N. R. Ayyangar (Synthesis 1987, 64). 






EXAMPLE 1
2-(3-Dimethylamino-2-methylphenylimino) imidazolidine
1st Step
83.6 g of 2-methyl-3-nitroaniline, 190 g of K2CO3 and 260 ml of water are together heated to 100° C. 27 ml of dimethylsulphate are added dropwise over 1 hour, then the mixture is heated for a further hour. After cooling to ambient temperature, the top layer is removed and the aqueous phase remaining is extracted four times with ether.
The combined ether extracts are combined with the upper layer, dried with MgSO4 and evaporated down in vacuo. 73 g of N,N-dimethyl-2-methyl-3-nitroaniline are obtained.
2nd Step
73 g of N,N-dimethyl-2-methyl-3-nitroaniline are dissolved in 800 ml of methanol and hydrogenated at 20° C. under 5 bar of hydrogen using Raney nickel as catalyst. 57 g of 3-dimethylamino-2-methylaniline are obtained.
3rd Step
57 g of 3-dimethylamino-2-methyl-aniline, 1.15 liters of acetone, 36.6 g of KSCN and 43.8 ml of benzoylchloride are refluxed together for 3 hours. After cooling to ambient temperature the reaction mixture is poured onto 2.4 kg of crushed ice. The precipitate obtained is heated to 60° C. for 2 hours together with 85 g of KOH, 85 ml of water and 255 ml of ethanol. After the addition of 850 ml of water the ethanol is distilled off under reduced pressure. After the resulting precipitate has been worked up, 72 g of N-(3-dimethylamino-2-methylphenyl)-thiourea are obtained.
4th Step
72 g of the thiourea from Step 3 are taken up in 345 ml of methanol and after the addition of 22.6 ml of methyliodide the mixture is refluxed for 2 hours. The resulting solution is evaporated down under reduced pressure; 120 g of N-(3-dimethylamino-2-methylphenyl)-S-methyl-isothiourea hydroiodide are obtained.
5th Step
120 g of the thiourea from Step 4 in 350 ml of methanol are combined with 34.4 ml of 1,2-diaminoethane and refluxed for 17 hours. The reaction mixture is then evaporated down in vacuo and the residue is taken up in water. The pH is adjusted to 7 using dilute hydrochloric acid. The aqueous phase is extracted 3 times with ethyl acetate. Then the aqueous phase is made alkaline with 5N NaOH and extracted a further 3 times with ethyl acetate, these extracts are combined, dried with MgSO4 and evaporated down in vacuo. An oil is obtained which is chromatographed over silica gel (eluant toluene, dioxane, ethanol, ammonia 10:8:3:1=“Super-T”).
17.9 g of 2-(3-dimethylamino-2-methylphenyl-imino)-imidazolidine are obtained.
Melting point 116-118° C.
EXAMPLE 2
2-(6-Bromo-3-dimethylamino-2-methylphenylimino)imidazolidine
6.55 g of 2-(3-Dimethylamino-2-methylphenyl-imino)-imidazolidine are dissolved in 75 ml of chloroform and 1.53 ml of bromine are added, with stirring, at 0° C. After 2 hours at 0° C. the solution is evaporated down under reduced pressure and the residue thus obtained is mixed with dilute hydrochloric acid. The aqueous solution is extracted twice with ether, then the aqueous phase is made alkaline with dilute NaOH and extracted three more times with ether. The combined ether extracts are evaporated down under reduced pressure and the residue remaining is worked up by chromatography (silica gel, eluant “Super-T” (Example 1)).
3.4 g of 2-(6-bromo-3-dimethylamino-2-methyl-phenylimino)-imidazolidine are obtained, Mp. 157-158° C., as a white powder.
The following compounds were prepared analogously to the processes described:

    2-(4-bromo-3-dimethylamino-2-methylphenylimino)-imidazolidine
    2-(4,6-dibromo-3-dimethylamino-2-methylphenylimino)-imidazolidine
    2-(6-chloro-3-dimethylamino-2-methylphenylimino)-imidazolidine
    2-(3-acetylamino-6-chlorophenylimino)-imidazolidine, Mp. 236-238° C.
    2-(2-methyl-3-phthalimidophenylimino)-imidazolidine, Mp. 189-190° C.
    2-(6-chloro-3-phthalimidophenylimino)-imidazolidine, Mp. 239-241° C.
    2-(5-amino-2-chloro-4-methylphenylimino)-imidazolidine, Mp. 155-157° C.
    2-(3-amino-4-fluorophenylimino)-imidazolidine, (2HCl), Mp. 222° C.
    2-(3-amino-4-methylphenylimino)-imidazolidine, (HCl),
    2-(3-amino-6-methylphenylimino)-imidazolidine, (HCl), Mp. 194 -196° C.
    2-(3-amino-6-chlorophenylimino)-imidazolidine, (HCl), Mp. 197-198° C.
    2-(3-amino-4,6-dibromo-2-methylphenylimino)-imidazolidine, Mp. 154-155° C.
    2-(3-amino-2-methylphenylimino)-imidazolidine, (HCl), Mp. 204-206° C.


The following compounds are specifically mentioned by name:

    2-(2,6-diethylphenyl-imino)-imidazolidine
    2-(2-chloro-6-methylphenylimino)-imidazolidine
    2-(2,6-dichloro-phenylimino)-imidazolidine
    2-(2-chloro-4-methylphenylimino)-imidazolidine
    2-(2,4-dichlorophenylimino)-imidazolidine
    2-(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethylphenylimino)-imidazolidine
    2-(5-fluoro-2-methylphenylimino)-imidazolidine
    2-(3-bromo-2-methylphenylimino)-imidazolidine
    2-(2-chloro-3-methylphenylimino)-imidazolidine
    2-(2-fluoro-6-trifluoromethylphenylimino)-imidazolidine
    2-(2-chloro-4-cyclopropylphenylimino)-imidazolidine
    2-(4-amino-3,5-dibromophenylimino)-imidazolidine
    2-(3-fluoro-4-methylphenylimino)-imidazolidine
    2-(6-bromo-2-fluorophenylimino)-imidazolidine
    4-(2-imidazolin-2-ylamino)-2-methylindazole
    5-chloro-4-(imidazolin-2-yl-amino)-benzothiadiazole (Tizanidine)
    2-[(2-chloro-4-methyl-3-thienyl)amino]-2-imidazoline (Tiamenidine)
    2-(2,5-dichlorophenylimino)-imidazolidine


The compounds of general formulae I and II according to the invention may be converted into their physiologically acceptable acid addition salts in the usual way. Examples of acids suitable for salt formation include, for example, inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydiodic acid, hydrofluoric acid, sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid or organic acids such as acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, caproic acid, capric 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, p-aminobenzoic acid, phthalic acid, cinnamic acid, salicylic acid, ascorbic acid, methanesulphonic acid and ethanephosphonic acid.
The corresponding hydrobromides and hydrochlorides are preferred as the acid addition salts.
Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds described may be used in the form of capsules, suppositories, solutions, syrups, emulsions or dispersible powders. Corresponding tablets may be obtained, for example, by mixing the active substance or substances with known excipients such as inert diluents, e.g. 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 polyvinyl acetate. The tablets may also consist of several layers.
Coated tablets may be produced accordingly, by coating cores made analogously to the tablets with agents conventionally used for tablet coating, e.g. collidone or shellac, gum arabic, talc, titanium dioxide or sugar. In order to achieve delayed release or prevent incompatibilities, the core may also consist of several layers. Similarly, the tablet coating may consist of several layers in order to achieve delayed release, and the excipients mentioned for the tablets may be used.
Syrups of the active substances or combinations of active substances according to the invention may additionally contain a sweetener such as saccharin, cyclamate, glycerol or sugar and 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 prepared in the usual way, e.g. by adding preservatives such as p-hydroxybenzoates or stabilisers such as alkali metal salts of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid and are then transferred into injection vials or ampoules.
The capsules containing the active substance or combination of active substances may be prepared, for example, by mixing the active ingredients with inert carriers such as lactose or sorbitol and packaging the mixture in gelatine capsules.
Suitable suppositories may be produced, for example, by mixing with carriers provided for this purpose such as neutral fats of polyethyleneglycol or derivatives thereof.
For transdermal application the active substances according to the invention may be incorporated in suitable carriers (plasters), e.g. made of polyacrylates. Suitable adjuvants may be used in order to increase the release rate.
For oral administration a dosage of 1 to 50 mg is proposed as a therapeutically single dose.
EXAMPLE A
Tablets
















2-(3-Dimethylamino-2-methylphenylimino)-
10 mg



imidazolidine.HBr



Lactose
65 mg



Corn starch
125 mg 



sec. Calcium phosphate
40 mg



Soluble starch
 3 mg



Magnesium stearate
 4 mg



Colloidal silica
 4 mg



Total
251 mg 










Preparation

The active substance is mixed with some of the excipients, kneaded intensively with an aqueous solution of the soluble starch and granulated with a sieve in the usual way. The granules are combined with the remaining excipients and compressed into tablet cores weighing 250 mg which are then coated in the usual way using sugar, talc and gum arabic.
EXAMPLE B
Ampoules
















2-(3-Dimethylamino-2-methylphenylimino)-
 1.0 mg



imidazolidine.HBr



Sodium chloride
18.0 mg



Sufficient distilled water to make up to
 2.0 ml










Preparation

The active substance and sodium chloride are dissolved in water and transferred into glass ampoules under nitrogen.
EXAMPLE C
Drops
















2-(3-Dimethylamino-2-methylphenylimino)-
0.02 g



imidazolidine.HBr



Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate
0.07 g



Propyl p-hydroxybenzoate
0.03 g



Sufficient demineralised water to make up to
 100 ml










EXAMPLE D
Injectable Solution
















2-(3-Dimethylamino-2-methylphenylimino)-
 1.5 parts



imidazolidine.HBr



Sodium salt of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid
 0.2 parts



Sufficient distilled water to make up to
100.0 parts










Preparation

The active substance and the sodium salt of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid are dissolved in sufficient water and topped up to the desired volume with water. The solution is filtered to remove any suspended particles and transferred into 2 ml ampoules under aseptic conditions. Finally, the ampoules are sterilised and sealed. Each ampoule contains 20 mg of active substance.
One advantage of the compounds described is that they act primarily on the urethra and have little or no effect on the cardiovascular system.
The selective pharmacological activity of the compounds according to the invention is demonstrated by the compound of Example 2—2-(6-bromo-3-dimethylamino-2-methylphenylimino)-imidazolidine—and a comparison compound, phenylephrine, by measuring the intraluminal pressure of the urethra and blood pressure in the rabbit.
Female Japanese white rabbits (weighing 3.0 to 3.5 kg) are anaesthetised with urethane (1 g/kg i.p.). A polyethylene cannula is inserted in the urinary bladder by means of a small incision. The changes in the intraluminal pressure are recorded by means of balloon in the urethra which contains about 1.5 ml of water at 37° C. The intraurethral pressure is recorded on a polygraph by means of a pressure-voltage transducer.
The neck is opened up and the carotid artery is cannulated in order to measure the blood pressure and at the same time the trachea is intubated in order to maintain breathing. The changes in blood pressure are recorded on a polygraph by means of a pressure-voltage transducer. Heart rate is measured using a tachometer.
Phenylephrine and the compound of Example 2 are introduced into the Vena femoralis i.v. through a polyethylene cannula. Dosages of 30 μg/kg of phenylephrine are compared with 10 μg/kg of the compound of Example 2.
Compared with phenylephrine the compound of Example 2 according to the invention exhibits a potency which is higher by a factor of 2.73 with regard to the contraction of the urethra and with a duration of effect which is longer by a factor of 4.3. By comparison, the increase in blood pressure with the compound according to the invention is only 1.39 times that of the comparison compound phenylephrine. It is notable that the increase in blood pressure is prolonged only to an insignificant degree (by a factor of 1.17) compared with phenylephrine. These experiments show that the compounds according to the invention have a selective effect on the urethra. Being selective α1L-adrenoreceptor agonists, the compounds according to the invention are suitable for treating problems of urinary incontinence, particularly for treating stress incontinence.
The test results are shown in Table 1.












TABLE 1







Contraction

Increase




of the
Duration
in blood
Duration



urethra
of effect
pressure
of effect




















Phenylephrine
100
100
100
100


Example 2
273
430
139
117





Data given in % 


Example 2 = 2-(6-bromo-3-dimethylamino-2-methylphenyl-imino) imidazolidine.

## Claims

1. A method for the treatment of urinary incontinence which method comprises administering to a host suffering from urinary incontinence a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the formula (I) 




wherein:
Y is an optionally substituted phenyl or naphthyl group or an optionally substituted 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring which contains oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen as heteroatoms; and 
X is —NH—, —CH2—, —OCH2—, —O—CHCH3—, —CH═N—NH—, —N═N—, or —NZ—, wherein Z is —CH2—CH═CH2— or cyclopropylmethyl, 
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein:
Y is an unsaturated heterocyclic ring, 
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein:
X is —CH2—, —OCH2—, or —O—CHCH3—, 
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein:
X is —NH—, —CH═N—NH—, —N═N—, or —NZ—, wherein Z is —CH2—CH═CH2— or cyclopropylmethyl, 
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein:
Y is an optionally substituted phenyl; and 
X is —NH— or —CH2—, 
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein:
Y is optionally substituted naphthyl; and 
X is —NH— or —CH2—, 
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.