Production of amarogentin in root cultures of Swertia chirata.

Conventional and Agrobacterium rhizogenes-transformed root cultures were studied with respect to growth and amarogentin content following cultivation in various growth media. The fastest growth rate was observed using Nitsch medium. The best amarogentin content was obtained after cultivation in root culture (RC) medium for which the slowest growth rate was noticed.

Specific bradycardic agents. 2. Heteroaromatic modifications in the side chain of specific bradycardic benzazepinones: chemistry, pharmacology, and structure-activity relationships.

Compound 1 (UL-FS 49) has recently been described as the representative of a novel class of antiischemic compounds termed "specific bradycardic agents". In search of specific bradycardic agents with different pharmacokinetic profiles, heteroaromatic analogues of 1 have been synthesized and evaluated for their bradycardic activity, selectivity, and duration of action. The chain length n and the nature of the heteroaromatic system of compounds 2 strongly determine the biological activities.

Specific bradycardic agents. 1. Chemistry, pharmacology, and structure-activity relationships of substituted benzazepinones, a-new class of compounds exerting antiischemic properties.

Structural modification of the calcium-antagonist verapamil (1) by replacement of the lipophilic alpha-isopropylacetonitrile moiety by various heterocyclic ring systems has led to a new class of cardiovascular compounds which are characterized by a specific bradycardic activity. These agents reduce heart rate without binding to classical calcium channels or beta-adrenoceptors, interacting instead specifically with structures at the sino atrial node. Therefore they have also been termed sinus node inhibitors.