Synthesis, characterization and pharmacological profile of tropicamide enantiomers.

The synthesis, chemical characterization and antimuscarinic activity of the two enantiomers of tropicamide are reported. Functional (rabbit vas deferens, guinea pig heart (force) and ileum) as well as binding experiments (m1 and m4 human muscarinic receptors expressed in CHO-K1 cells: M2 and M3 receptors of rat heart and submaxillary gland membranes) were used to evaluate the antimuscarinic activity of the enantiomers. The results show that none of the enantiomers is able to significantly discriminate among the receptors studied and therefore do not support the proposal of tropicamide as an M4 (m4) selective agent.