ABSTRACT-Opioid analgesics are a mainstay in the treatment of acute and chronic pain of multiple origins, but their side effects, such as constipation, respiratory depression, and abuse liability, adversely affect patients. The recent demonstration of the upregulation and membrane targeting of the ␦-opioid receptor (DOR) following inflammation and the consequent enhanced therapeutic effect of ␦-opioid agonists have enlivened the search for ␦-opioid analgesic agents. JNJ-20788560 [9-(8-azabicyclo-[3.2.1]oct-3-ylidene)-9H-xanthene-3-carboxylic acid diethylamide] had an affinity of 2.0 nM for DOR (rat brain cortex binding assay) and a naltrindole sensitive DOR potency of 5.6 nM (5Ј-O-(3-[ 35 S]thio)triphosphate assay). The compound had a potency of 7.6 mg/kg p.o. in a rat zymosan radiant heat test and of 13.5 mg/kg p.o. in a rat Complete Freund's adjuvant RH test but was virtually inactive in an uninflamed radiant heat test.In limited studies, tolerance was not observed to the antihyperalgesic or antinociceptive effects of the compound. Unlike ibuprofen, JNJ-20788560 did not produce gastrointestinal (GI) erosion. Although morphine reduced GI motility at all doses tested and reached nearly full effect at the highest dose, JNJ-20788560 did not retard transit at the lowest dose and reached only 11% reduction at the highest dose administered. Unlike morphine, JNJ-20788560 did not exhibit respiratory depression (blood gas analysis), and no withdrawal signs were precipitated by the administration of opioid ( or ␦) antagonists. Coupled with the previously published lack of self-administration behavior of the compound by alfentanil-trained primates, these findings strongly recommend ␦-opioid agonists such as JNJ-20788560 for the relief of inflammatory hyperalgesia.The -opioid receptor (MOR) is the core target of marketed opioid analgesics, but the side effect profile and abuse liability propensity of these compounds impels the search for better and safer analgesic agents. Although the ␦-opioid receptor (DOR) has long been known to mediate at least a modest level of antinociception (Heyman et al., 1986;Rodriguez et al., 1986), recent work on its regulation during inflammation has provided new impetus to its targeting for the relief of inflammatory pain. Under basal conditions, DOR is located predominantly intracellularly, whereas MOR is localized Article, publication date, and citation information can be found at

A series of 2-iimino-5-uryl-2-oxazolmes was found to have potent appetite suppressant activity. Methods of synthesis, chemical behavior, and structure-activity relationships for these compounds are described.

2-Aroyl-4-(omega-aminoacyl)- (4) and 4-aroyl-2-(omega-aminoacyl)pyrroles (9) represent a new, structurally novel class of anticonvulsant agents. Compounds of type 4 were prepared by Friedel-Crafts acylation of a 2-aroylpyrrole with an omega-chloroacyl chloride followed by displacement of the chloro group by a primary or secondary amine. Compounds of type 9 were prepared by Friedel-Crafts aroylation of a 2-(omega-chloroacyl)pyrrole followed by displacement by an amine. These compounds were active in the mouse and rat maximal electroshock tests but not in the mouse metrazole test. The lead compound, RWJ-37868, 2-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-4-(1-piperidinyl-acetyl)-1,3,5-trimethylpyrrole++ + (4d), showed potency and therapeutic index comparable to those of phenytoin and carbamazepine and greater than those of sodium valproate. This compound blocked bicuculline induced seizures, did not elevate seizure threshold following iv infusion of metrazole, and blocked influx of Ca2+ ions into cerebellar granule cells induced by K+ or veratridine.