4-(3-Methoxyphenyl)-1-substituted-4H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinazolin-5-ones: new class of H1-antihistaminic agents.

A series of 1-substituted-4-(3-methoxyphenyl)-4H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinazolin-5-ones were synthesized by the cyclization of 2-hydrazino-3-(3-methoxyphenyl)-3H-quinazolin-4-one with various electrophile. The starting material 2-hydrazino-3-(3-methoxyphenyl)-3H-quinazolin-4-one was synthesized from 3-methoxy aniline by an innovative route. Title compounds were tested for their in vivo H1-antihistaminic activity on guinea pigs; all the tested compounds protected the animals from histamine induced bronchospasm significantly. Compound 1-methyl-4-(3-methoxyphenyl)-4H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinazolin-5-one (II) emerged as the most active compound of the series and was more potent (72.76%) than the reference standard chlorpheniramine maleate (71%). Compound II showed negligible sedation (10%) when compared to chlorpheniramine maleate (25%). Hence it could serve as prototype molecule for further development as a new class of H1-antihistaminic agents.