Abstract
A series of 4-amino-5-chloro-2-methoxy- and 2-ethoxy-N-[(4-substituted 2-morpholinyl)methyl]benzamides (11-64) were prepared and evaluated for gastrokinetic activity by determining their effects on the gastric emptying of phenol red semisolid meal in rats. The N-4 substituent includes alkyl, phenoxyalkyl, (4-fluorobenzoyl)alkyl, and heteroarylmethyl groups. The benzamide derivatives, having an isopropyl, isoamyl, neopentyl, 3-(4-chlorophenoxy)-propyl, or pyridylmethyl group at N-4, showed potent in vivo gastric emptying activity. In particular, 4-amino-5-chloro-2-ethoxy-N-[[4-(3-pyridylmethyl)-2-morpholinyl]methyl]benzamide (57b) was equipotent to the 4-fluorobenzyl analogue 1b (AS-4370 as its citrate) in the gastrokinetic activity on phenol red semisolid meal in rats and mice, and on resin pellet solid meal in rats. Moreover, compound 57b was free from dopamine D2 receptor antagonistic activity in both in vitro ([3H]spiperone binding) and in vivo (apomorphine-induced emesis in dogs) tests. Structure-activity relationships of compounds with various substituents at N-4 are also discussed.
