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ANTIHISTAMINIC AND RELAT ED
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COURSE OUTLINE:
• Overview: what is histamine?
• Biosynthesis, Metabolism
• Receptor types and physiological effects
• H1, H2, H3, H4,…
• Chemistry of histamine
• Classes of histamine antagonists
• H1 receptor antagonists (blockers)
» 1st generation antihistamines
» 2nd generation antihistamines
» 3rd generation antihistamines
• H2 receptor antagonists (blockers)
WHAT IS HISTAMINE?
• a chemical messenger released by cells.
• widely distributed in the body
• acts as a local hormone
• one of the major inflammatory mediator
• the highest concentrations in human tissues:
Lung,stomachandskin[33μg/g tissue]
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BIOSYNTHESIS
Synthesized chiefly in
• Mast cells : stomach, liver, L/S intestine, heart and lung
• Basophilic granulocytes: blood
Other sites of synthesis include:
▪ Neurons of the C N S and
▪ Epidermis of the skin
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Termination of Histamine Action
• Cellular uptake
• Metabolism (Major)
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H1 RECEPTORS
➢ It is found in smooth muscles of intestine, bronchi, blood
vessels, adrenal medulla, endothelial cell and lymphocytes.
➢ Histamine H1 receptors are G-protein linked receptors. It is
sequence of 491 amino acids residue.
➢ H1 - receptors mediate smooth muscle contraction, increased
vascular permeability, pruritus, prostaglandin, decreased artrio
ventricular conduction time accompanied by tachycardia and
activation of vagal reflexes
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H2-receptors
• They are located on the cell membrane of acid secreting cells of gastric mucosa
and mediate the gastric acid secretary actions of histamine.
• The physiological effects of H2-receptor ligands are mediated by a stimulatory
G- protein coupled receptor.
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H3 AND H4 RECEPTORS
H3 Receptor…
Thought to be a G P C R
• May play role in C N S (auto receptors)
• Possible regulation of synthesis and release of Hist.
• Signaling pathway unknown
H4 Receptor…
• G P C R
• Found in intestines, spleen, T-cells and neutrophils
• Suggests role in Immunity.
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CHEMISTRY AND SAR OF HISTAMINE

NH2
N 3

1 HN

NH2
NH 1

2
3 N
4 5

• Hydrophilic hetrocyclic molecule
•Contains imidazole ring linked with alkyl amino group
• pka’s 9.40 (aliphatic amine)
5.74 (imidazole N, 2o amine)
There are two tautomeric forms of histamine.
• 4-(β-aminoethyl) imidazole (Nτ-tautomer) and
• 5-(β-aminoethyl) imidazole (N-tautomer)
➢Both forms are active physiologically.



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Nτ-tautomer N-tautomer
WHAT ARE AN ANTIHISTAMINES?
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• “Compete against the receptors’ natural substrates’’
• drugs that reduce or eliminate the effects mediated by the chemical histamine
• The term antihistamine only refers to H1 receptor antagonists (actually
inverse agonists)
• Antihistamines compete with histamine for binding sites at the receptors. And
cannot remove the histamine if it is already bound
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• Classes of Histamine antagonists
• H1 receptor antagonists (blockers)
» 1st generation antihistamines
» 2nd generation antihistamines
» 3rd generation antihistamines
• H2 receptor antagonists (blockers)
1ST GENERATION ANTIHISTAMINES
SAR
• 2 aromatic rings, connected to a
central carbon, nitrogen, or oxygen
• Spacer between central atom and
the amine, usually 2-3 carbons in
length. (Can be linear, ring,
branched, saturated or unsaturated)
• The amine is substituted with
small alkyl groups
• Chirality at X and having the rings
in different planes influences
potency of the drug C
H2
N
X
Ar
Ar' R'
R
n
General H1 Receptor Antagonist
d ~ 4-6Ao
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CLASSES OF FIRST GENERATION H1 RECEPTOR
ANTAGONISTS
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• Ethanolamines
• Ethylenediamines
• Alkylamines (Propylamines)
• Tricyclics
Ar
Ar'
X C
H2
Spacer
n
N
R
R'
X n Class ofAntihistamines
O 2 Ethanolamines
N 2 Ethylenediamines
C 2 Propylamines
ETHYLENEDIAMINES
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• These were the first group of clinically effective H1- antihistamines.They also
display a relatively high frequency of central nervous system depressant
(sedation) and gastrointestinal side effects. The anticholinergic and antiemetic
actions of these compounds is relatively low compared to most other classical
antihistamines.
Mepyramine (Pyrilamine)
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PIPERAZINES/CYCLIZINES
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• The piperazines or cyclizines can also be considered to be
ethylenediamine derivatives or cyclic ethylenediamines (cyclizines).
• The piperazines are moderately potent antihistaminics with a lower
incidence of drowsiness. They are more useful as antiemetics and
antinauseants and in the treatment of motion sickness
• Cyclizine HCl is used primarily in the prophylaxis and treatment of motion
sickness.
• Lactate Injection is used for intramuscular injection because of the limited
water solubility of the hydrochloride.
• Chlorcyclizine HCl has an additional ring Cl substituent which reduces
activity. Chlorcyclizine is indicated in the symptomatic relief of urticaria,
hay fever, and certain other allergic conditions
• Meclizine HCl and Buclizine HCl are N-benzyl substituted piperazines.
• Although it is a moderately potent antihistaminic, meclizine is used primarily as an
antinauseant in the prevention and treatment of motion sickness and in the treatment
of nausea and vomiting associated with vertigo and radiation sickness.
• Buclizine HCl is highly lipid-soluble and has central nervous system depressant,
antiemetic, and antihistaminic properties
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Buclizine
Meclizine
Cyclizine
Chlorcyclizine
ETHANOLAMINES
Diphenhydramine (Nytol/Benedryl)
•Oldest and most effective antihistamine on the
market
•In addition to antihistaminic action,
diphenhydramine exhibits anticholinergic,
antidyskinetic, antiemetic, antitussive, and
sedative properties.
•has antinauseating effect
• also used in motion sickness
• Drowsiness is a side effect common to the tertiary aminoalkyl ethers,
presumably as a result of the ability of these compounds to penetrate and
BBB and occupy central H1-receptors
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The 8-chloro-theophylline salt of
diphenydramine
Clemastine (Tavist) DIMENHYDRINATE (DRAMAMINE)
•Exhibits fewer side effects than
most antihistamines
• Widely used as an antiprurtic
(stops itching)
• Anti-emetic (anti nausea)
• Also causes strong sedation
• Readily crosses the BBB 19
O
N
Cl
O
Cl
NH
N
N
N
N
O
O
Cl
• Diphenylpyraline is structurally related to
diphenhydramine with the aminoalkyl side
chain incorporated in a piperidine ring. It is
a potent antihistaminic.
• Clemastine is structurally related to
chlorodiphenhydramine with the aminoalkyl
side chain incorporated in a pyrrolidine
ring, and it has an additional benzylic
methyl group
Diphenylpyraline
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Clemastine
ALKYLAMINES (PROPYLAMINES)
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Long acting
4x active than ethanolamines
• The halogenated pheniramines are significantly more potent (20-50 times)
and have a longer duration of action than the parent pheniramine.
• These drugs have fewer GI adverse effects, but a greater incidence of CNS
sedation.
AKYLAMINES
Chlorpheniramine
• Originally used to prevent
allergic conditions
•Shown to have antidepressant
properties and inhibit the reuptake
of serotonin
• The first SSRI was made as a
derivative of chlorpheniramine
• Available over the counter
•Used to treat the common cold by
relieving runny nose, itchy, watery
eyes and sneezing
*
*
Two optical isomers and d form is active
N
N
Brompheniramine
(Dimetap)
Br
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TRIPROLIDINE
• Used to alleviate the symptoms associated with allergies
•Can be combined with other cold medicine to relieve “flu-like” symptoms
There are Two geometrical isomers of Triprolidine,
trans form is active
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R
A
(Y)n
B
X
C
Y could be C H2 , hetro atom, or CH2-hetro atom
W h e n
X = O; Alkyl amino ether
= N; ethylenediamine
= C; propyleneamine
TRICYCLICS
•These drugs are structurally related to tricyclic antidepressants,
which explains why they have cholinergic side effects
• The general structural feature
R =
C H 3
- C H 3 - C H N
C H 3
C H 3
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PROMETHAZINE (PHENERGAN)
•This drug has extremely strong anticholinergic
and sedative effects
•It was originally used as an antipsychotic,
however now it is most commonly used as a
sedative or antinausea drug (also severe motion
sickness) and requires a prescription.
•In addition to its antihistaminic action, it is a potent
antiemetic, anticholingeric and sedating agent, and
significantly potentiates the action of analgesic and
sedative drugs
N
S
N
CH3
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CYPROHEPTADINE
•THIS DRUG BOTH AN ANTIHISTAMINE AND
• AN ANTISEROTONERGIC AGENT
• IT IS A 5-HT2 RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTAND
ALSO BLOCKS CALCIUM CHANNELS
• USED TO TREAT HAY FEVER AND ALSO
TO STIMULATE APPETITE IN PEOPLE WITH
ANOREXIA
• IT IS ALSO RARELY USED TO TREAT SSRI
INDUCED SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION AND ALSO
CUSHING’S SYNDROME (HIGH LEVEL OF
CORTISOL IN THE BLOOD) AND MIGRAINE
HEADACHES
Ketotifen
N
O
S
N
•This drug is available in two forms:
an ophthalmic form used to treat allergic
conjunctivitis or itchy red eyes and an oral
form used to prevent asthma attacks
•It has several adverse side effects including
drowsiness, weight gain, dry mouth,
irritability and increased nosebleeds
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SECOND GENERATION H1-RECEPTOR
ANTAGONISTS
• These are the newer drugs and they are much more selective for the
peripheral H1-receptors involved in allergies as opposed to the H1-
receptors in the CNS
• Therefore, these drugs provide the same relief with many fewer adverse
side effects and non sedating.
• The structure of these drugs varies and there are no common
structural features associated with them
• They are bulkier and but less lipophilic than the first generation drugs,
therefore they do not cross the BBB as readily.
• Recent studies have also showed that these drugs also have anti-
inflammatory activity and therefore, would be helpful in the management
of inflammation in allergic airways disease.
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SECOND GENERATION H1-RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS
Acrivastine (Semprex-D)
•This drug relieves itchy
rashes and hives
•It is non-sedating because it
does not cross the BBB readily
• Structurally related to the
ethylenediamines and the
ethanolamines and thus produce
significant anticholinergic effects.
• Perennial and seasonal allergic and
vasomotor rhinitis; relief of symptoms from
colds, urticaria, angioedema, anaphylactic
reactions, pruritus, allergic conjunctivitis
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N
N
Cl O
OH
O
Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
Loratadine (Claritin) TERFENADINE
•It is the only drug of its class
available over the counter
• It has long lasting effects and does
not cause drowsiness because it
does not cross the BBB readily
•It was formerly used to treat allergic
conditions
•In the 1990’s it was removed from the
market due to the increased risk of cardiac
arrhythmias
Cl
O CH3
O
HO
N
OH
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AZELASTINE (ASTELIN OR
OPTIVAR)
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Levocabastine
(Livostin)
• It is a mast cell stablilizer
•Available as a nasal spray
(Astelin) or eye drops for pink
eye (Optivar) •Both of these drugs are used as eye drops to
treat allergic conjunctivitis
Olopatadine
(Patanol)
N
O
N
N
Cl
THIRD GENERATION H1-RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS
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• These drugs are derived from second generation antihistamines
• They are either the active enantiomer or metabolite of the second
generation drugs designed to have increased efficacy and fewer side
effects
Levocetrizine (Zyzal)
•This drug is the active enantiomer of cetirizine and is
believed to be more effective and have fewer adverse side
effects.
• Also it is not metabolized and is likely to be safer than
other drugs due to a lack of possible drug interactions
•It does not cross the BBB and does not cause
significant drowsiness
•It has been shown to reduce asthma attacks by 70% in
children
DESLORTADINE (CLARINEX)
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Fexofenadine (Allegra)
• It is the active metabolite of
Lortadine
•Even though it is thought to be
more effective, there is no
concrete evidence to prove this
•It was developed as an
alternative to Terfenadine
•Fexofenadine was proven to be
more effective and safe
CLINICAL USESOF ANTIHISTAMINES/H1 ANTAGONISTS
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• Allergic rhinitis (common cold)
• Allergic conjunctivitis (pink eye)
• Allergic dermatological conditions
• Urticaria (hives)
• Angioedema (swelling of the skin)
• Pruritus (atopic dermatitis, insect bites)
• Anaphylactic reactions (severe allergies)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Antiasmathic
H2 HISTAMINE ANTAGONISTS.
In the beginning—ulcer therapy in 1964
▪Ulcers are localized erosions of the mucous membranes of the stomach or
duodenum. It is not known how these ulcers arise, but the presence of gastric
acid aggravates the problem and delays recovery.
▪In the early 1960s, the conventional treatment was to try and neutralize
gastric acid in the stomach by administering bases such as sodium
bicarbonate or calcium carbonate.
▪However, the dose levels required for neutralization were large and caused
unpleasant side-effects and it is not effective.
A better approach would be to i n h i bit the release of
gastric acid a t source.
DISORDERS associated with elevated
secretion of gastric acid
NSAID-Associated Ulcer
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylor~)
Reflux Esophagitis/GERD
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Antrum
Stomach
Pyloric
Sphincter
Oesophagus
Duodenum
Histamine
Acetylcholine
Gastrin
Cck2
M3
2
Parietal
Cells
Stomach
Receptors
Ion channel
Proton pump
+
H
+
+
cAMP
+
+
+
-
H +
HCl
Cl
Anticholinergic drugs ╠► unwanted side effects
Gastrin receptor blocker ╠► unsuccessful 35
Gastric receptors are pharmacologically distinct.
The classic H1 antagonists don’t interact with H2 receptors.
No effect on gastric acid release
Developing a Lead Compound
• A classic example of rational drug design
• work began in 1964
• There was no lead compound to work from
• Take a closer look at Histamine
H2 HISTAMINE ANTAGONISTS.
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BURIMAMIDE
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• Burimamide is the prototype H2-receptor antagonist.
• highly specific competitive antagonist of histamine at H2
receptors,
• 100 times more potent than Nα-guanylhistamine.
• It is the 4 carbons bridged analogue with guanidine moiety of Nα-
guanylhistamine is replaced with thiourea group as well as addition of
an N-methyl group [provides a beneficial increase in hydrophobicity ]
Burimamide
HN
N N
H
NHMe
Chain extention S
HN
N N
H
NH2
NH
Guanylhistamine
METIAMIDE
• analogue of burimamide with side-chain electron withdrawing atom (sulfur) inserted into the
side-chain
• an electron donating methyl group added at position 4 of
the imidazole ring
• increase the population of N-H tautomer which affords
enhanced H2 receptor affinity.
• Maintain the preferred conformation of metiamide
– methyl group acts as a conformational blocker
• Metiamide is ten times more active than burimamide
HN
N
S
N
H
NHMe
S
CH3
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S
N NHMe
H
Thiourea
Toxic side effects
NH
N NHMe
H
Guanidine
Drop in activity but no agonist
activity!
H
N NHMe
N
CN
Cyanoguanidine
group
Cimetidine inhibits H2 receptors and thus inhibits gastric acid release.
The drug does not show the toxic side-effects observed for metiamide and
has been shown to be slightly more active.
• The cyanoguanidine moiety acts as a bio-isostere for the thiourea group.
• Both groups are planar and of similar geometry.
• Both groups are polar but essentially neutral.
• Both groups have high dipole moments.
• Both groups have low partition coefficients.
•They are weakly basic and also weakly acidic such that they are un-ionized at pH 7.4
and hence possess enhanced antagonistic activity
CIMETIDINE
HN
N
S
N
H
NHMe
N
CH3 CN
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Structure of some H2 receptor blockers
ANALOGUES OF CIMETIDINE
terminal
nitroketeneaminal
+
different
heterocyclic ring
30 times more
active than
cimetidine
equipotent with ranitidine
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INHIBITION OF HISTAMINE RELEASE (MAST CELL STABILIZERS)
O
NaO2C
O O CH2CHCH2 O
O
O
CO2Na
OH
Cromolyn sodium
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