Selective chiral inhibition of Ca2+ entry promoted by bisbenzyltetrahydroisoquinolines in rat uterus.

Abstract The effects of diltiazem and six bisbenzyltetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids (antioquine, 7-O-methylantioquine, dimethylantioquine, monterine, granjine and cordobimine) were studied in rat isolated uterus in order to clarify the mechanisms of their relaxant actions. All the compounds tested completely relaxed KCl-induced contractions and totally or partially inhibited oxytocin-induced rhythmic contractions. Only alkaloids with absolute configurations (1R,1′S or 1R,1′R) acted intracellularly, promoting relaxation of contractile responses induced by oxytocin in a Ca2+-free medium, as does papaverine. Alkaloids of the antioquine series (1S,1′R) selectively inhibited Ca2+ entry. The grea…