Secondary amines from cyanmides a new method for removing the-CN group

The 6 years that have elapsed since the subject of biological activity in terpenoids and their derivatives was previously reviewed in this series [1] have witnessed many notable advances in our knowledge of the pharmacological, physiological and biochemical properties of this major group of compounds. For instance, a number of triterpene acids have recently been shown [2–6] to be potent uncoupling agents of oxidative phosphorylation, i.e. to inhibit the mitochondrial biosynthesis of adenosine-5′-triphosphate without inhibiting mitochondrial respiration — an action which is suggested [7] to be linked with their anti-inflammatory activity [8–13] and ability to heal gastric ulcers [14 to 19]. Again, it is now apparent that various lower terpenoids have a much greater physiological significance in insects and in plants than was realised at the time of the earlier survey and so the new approaches to insect control and weed control opened up by this knowledge can be expected to see intensive exploitation in the near future. In the case of insects, apart from the discoveries of further terpenoids as constituents of defensive secretions in various species, a number of mono- and sesqui-terpenoids have now been assigned their rightful place beside other relatively simple aliphatic compounds as pheromones and sex attractants of particular species [20–22].

Biological activity of the terpenoids and their derivatives--recent advances.

It is intended to provide a drug which is efficacious in treating and preventing diseases wherein ischemia or an inflammatory substance associated with ischemia participates in the onset or worsening thereof. Because of containing as the active ingredient a substance selected from among farnesol, a farnesol derivative, a tocopherol derivative, a tocotrienol derivative, pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof and solvates thereof, the above-described inhibitor of ischemic disorders can exert therapeutic and preventive effects on diseases wherein ischemia or an inflammatory substance associated with ischemia participates in the onset or worsening thereof (for example, brain infarction, brain edema, cardiac infarction, etc.) not only by the administration in the acute ischemic stage but also by the therapeutic administration in subacute and/or chronic stages after ischemia-reperfusion. It is also intended to provide a farnesol carboxylic acid ester derivative and a method of producing the same.

Ermanno Zugna

Papers

Terpene compounds as drugs. IV. Terpenyl derivatives of local anesthetics.