Potential radioprotective agents--V. Melatonin analogs. Oral activity of p-aminopropiophenone and its ethylene ketal.

Seven new amides of 5-methoxytryptamine were synthesized and tested for radioprotective activity in mice. One of them, the heptafluorobutyramide 4, is moderately active (57% survivors), the rest demonstrate little or no activity. Of twelve compounds that had been found to exhibit high radioprotective activity by ip injection, only two [p-aminopropiophenone (9) and its ethylene ketal 8] retain that high activity (92-95% survivors) when administered orally. Three are moderately active: p-aminobenzonitrile (10, 55%), 5-methoxytryptamine octanoic amide (11, 50%), and p-aminobenzophenone (12, 48%).