Structure-activity studies of carbamate and other esters: agonists and antagonists to nicotine.

A number of aromatic, cycloalkyl, and heterocyclic carbamic acid esters, thiocarbamic acid esters, and carboxylic acid esters of di- and trial-kylaminoalkyl and heterocyclic amino alcohols have been synthesized and tested for their pharmacologic and receptor binding characteristics at the nicotine receptor. Receptor binding was measured in rat brain membranes using (-)-3H-nicotine or 3H-methylcarbamylcholine as radioligands. The compounds were tested for their ability to produce seizures and prostration and to antagonize the nicotine-induced prostration and seizures as well as the hypertensive action of nicotine in rats. Among the potent agonists were the N-methylcarbamyl and N-methylthiocarbamyl esters of choline (trimethylaminoethanol), with the tertiary amino derivatives between considerably less potent than the quaternary. Potent antagonists included trimethylaminoethyl benzoate, 3-quinuclidinyl benzoate, and trimethylaminoethyl esters of phenyl and phenylthiocarbamic acids. One of the most potent antagonists to nicotine was alpha-lobeline.