Smooth muscle relaxant properties and vasomotor actions of 2-amino-1-p-nitrophenylpropane-1,3-diol.

Experiments with the guinea pig ileum, trachea, and vas deferens, the rat fundal strip, the rabbit jejunum and aortic strip, and the toad heart indicated that 2-amino-1-p-nitrophenylpropane-1,3-diol, the hydrolytic product of chloramphenicol, inhibited smooth muscles. Its action was direct and not through any mediators. After intravenous administration, the compound produced vasodepression followed by an overshooting rise of blood pressure. Vasodepression was not mediated by adrenergic, cholinergic, or histaminergic mechanisms. Hypertension was a sympathomimetic effect. Muscle relaxant and cardiovascular effects of the compound were similar to those of chloramphenicol, although it had no antibacterial effect.