Compounds of novel structure having kappa-agonist behavioral effects in rhesus monkeys.

The kappa-agonist behavioral effects of several compounds were studied in rhesus monkeys and mice. Rhesus monkeys trained to discriminate ethylketazocine from saline responded as if ethylketazocine had been administered when given bridged oripavines with either N-allyl or N-cyclopropylmethyl, but not N-methyl, substituents. These compounds had C7 substitutions of either 2-hydroxy-2-pentyl or 2-hydroxy-5-methyl-2-hexyl. Monkeys also showed ethylketazocine-like responding when given U-50,488 (trans-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-[2- (1-pyrrolidinyl) cyclohexyl]-benzeneacetamide), a compound with an atypical structure not resembling any known narcotic. Additionally, ethylketazocine-like responding was produced by two 5,9-alpha dimethyl 6-7-benzomorphans with either an N-2-methoxyisobutyl or an N-2-methoxy-propyl substituent. The latter compound was the only compound active in producing ethylketazocine-like discriminative effects that also reversed morphine-withdrawal signs. The N-methyl bridged oripavines that were inactive in producing ethylketazocine-like discriminative effects reversed morphine withdrawal signs.