Quinoline derivatives as antiallergy agents. 2. Fused-ring quinaldic acids.

A series of compounds containing two or more 4-oxo-1,4-dihydropyridine-2-carboxylic acid units fused to a central aromatic nucleus was synthesized and tested in the rat passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) assay for potential antiallergy activity. Most of the compounds of this series showed significant activity in the PCA assay. Three of these compounds. 11d, 13f, and 21, were more than 250 times as active as the standard drug, cromolyn sodium. The synthesis and biological activity are discussed.