Selective alpha-adrenoceptor blocking actions of a new derivative of 2-halogenotheylamine: 6-(2-bromoethyl)-10,11-methylenedioxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrodibenz[c,e]azocine.

A new compound, 6-(2-bromoethyl)-10,11-methylenedioxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrodibenz [c,e] azocine (DA-VIII-MBr) was found to have a more selective alpha-adrenergic blocking action than dibenamine or phenoxybenzamine. From dose-response curves for adrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) obtained in strips of rat aorta before and after incubation with each of the three blocking agents, the fractions of receptors remaining active for adrenaline and 5-HT, respectively, were estimated. After blockade with DA-VIII-MBr the receptors for adrenaline were blocked considerably, but those for 5-HT were little affected. Dibenamine blocked the receptors to adrenaline and 5-HT almost equally. The effective dose of phenoxybenzamine for adrenaline receptors was less than one hundredth that of dibenamine or DA-VIII-MBr, but specificity for these receptors was intermediate between those of dibenamine and DA-VIII-MBr. The structure of DA-VIII-MBr is an analog of apogalanthamine and its nitrogen atom bears the 2-halogenoethylamine group in part of an eight membered ring.