Catechol derivatives of the formula ##STR1## wherein Ra, Rb and Rc have the significance given herein, the ester and ether derivatives thereof which are hydrolyzable under physiological conditions and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are described and possess valuable pharmacological properties. In particular, they inhibit the enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), a soluble, magnesium-dependent enzyme which catalyses the transference of the methyl group of S-adenosylmethionine to a catechol substrate, whereby the corresponding methyl ethers are formed. Suitable substrates which can be O-methylated by COMT and which can thus be deactivated are, for example, extraneuronal catecholamines and exogeneously-administered therapeutically active substances having a catechol structure. Formula Ia above embraces not only compounds which form part of the invention, but also known compounds; the compounds which form part of the invention can be prepared according to known methods.
本文描述了公式##STR1##中Ra、Rb和Rc具有所述含义的邻二
酚衍
生物,以及在生理条件下可
水解的酯和醚衍
生物和其药学上可接受的盐,具有有价值的药理特性。特别地,它们抑制酶邻二
酚-O-甲基转移酶(CO
MT),这是一种可溶性、依赖于
镁的酶,催化S-
腺苷甲
硫氨酸的甲基转移到邻二
酚底物上,从而形成相应的甲基醚。适合成为CO
MT的O-甲基化底物的有,例如,细胞外邻二胺和外源性给药的具有邻二
酚结构的治疗活性物质。公式Ia不仅包括本发明的化合物,还包括已知的化合物;本发明的化合物可以按照已知的方法制备。