The potent depressant effects of N3-phenacyluridine in mice.

The hypnotic activity of N3-phenacyluridine in 2.0 mumol/mouse by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection was 20 times stronger than that of known N3-benzyluridine. In 0.5 mumol/mouse, i.c.v., this compound strongly potentiated both pentobarbital- and diazepam-induced sleep as compared to N3-substituted uridines, including N3-benzyluridine. Furthermore, the compound caused motor incoordination as well as decreasing spontaneous activity in the same dose. These results indicate that among the N3-substituted uridines and related compounds previously reported, N3-phenacyluridine possesses potent depressant effects.