Acrylamide derivatives as antiallergic agents. I. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of N-[(4-substituted 1-piperazinyl)alkyl]-3-(aryl and heteroaryl)acrylamides.

A new series of acrylamide derivatives (7-10) were synthesized. Antiallergic activity of these compounds was evaluated and their structure-activity relationships were examined. Compound 10d, N-[4-(4-diphenylmethyl-1-piperazinyl)butyl]-3-(3-pyridyl)acrylamid e, showed antiallergic activity equivalent or superior to that of ketotifen in the rat passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) test by oral administration. Compound 10d, unlike ketotifen, had more potent in vitro 5-lipoxygenase inhibitory activity than caffeic acid, whereas its in vitro antihistamine activity was weaker than that of ketotifen. In addition, its inhibitory activity against histamine release from rat mast cells was approximately two-thirds as potent as that of disodium cromoglycate (DSCG). Compound 10d is a promising agent for treating a variety of allergic diseases.