摘要:
Structural variants of the hydrophobic side chain (''C region'') of the capsaicin molecule have been incorporated into a series of vanillylamides and vanillylthioureas. These compounds have been tested in an in vitro assay for agonism (Ca-45(2+) influx into dorsal root ganglia neurones), previously shown to be predictive of analgesic activity. The results of this study have established the requirement for a hydrophobic substituent of limited size (molar refractivity, MR, <55) in order to obtain high potency. Combination of the information gained here about the ''C-region'' of the capsaicin molecule with the studies described in the preceding two papers provides a rational basis for the design of compounds of increased potency.