GB2145081A

GB2145081A - Anti-histamine compounds

Info

Publication number: GB2145081A
Application number: GB08419264A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoffrey George Coker; John William Addison Findlay
Original assignee: Wellcome Foundation Ltd
Current assignee: Wellcome Foundation Ltd
Priority date: 1983-08-01
Filing date: 1984-07-27
Publication date: 1985-03-20
Also published as: GB8419264D0; GB8320704D0; GB2145081B

Abstract

The invention provides a compound of the formula (I): <IMAGE> or a salt, ester or amide thereof; wherein R1 is hydrogen or C1-4 alkyl and R2 is C1-4 alkyl substituted by a group R3CO2H or R1 and R2 taken together with the nitrogen comprise a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring having four to six ring members substituted by a group R3CO2H, wherein R3 is a C1-7 aliphatic hydrocarbon group or a single bond; R4 is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, cyano, C1-4 acyloxy, C1-4alkoxy or C1-4alkyl optionally substituted by one to three halogen atoms; X is -N= or -CH=; and A and B each represent hydrogen atoms or -CA-CB- represents -C = C-. The invention also provides a method for the preparation of compounds of the formula (I), and pharmaceutical formulations. Compounds of the formula (I) have antihistaminic activity. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Antihistamine compounds The present invention relates to new chemical compounds exhibiting antihistamine activity, to processes for preparing them, to novel intermediates involved in their preparation, to pharmaceutical compositions containing them and to their use in medicine US Patent No. 2567245 discloses a group of pyridyl aliphatic amines with antihistamine activity and specifically discloses 3-(p-bromophenyl)-3-(2-pyridyl)-N,N-dimethylpropylamine and 3-(p-chlorophenyl)-3-(2-pyridyl)-N , N-dimethyl-propyl-amine which are hereinafter referred to by their generic names brompheniramine and chloropheniramine respectively.

US Patent 2,717,023 discloses a group of pyridyl propenylamines with antihistamine activity, the most outstanding of which is the compound named (E)-1-(4-methylphenyl)-1-(2-pyridyl)-3- pyrrolidinoprop-1-ene and hereinafter referred to by its generic name, triprolidine. Triprolidine has gained widespread clinical acceptance and is one of the most potent antihistamines available.

Triprolidine is known to be metabolized in man to (E)-1-(4-carboxyphenyl)-1-(2-pyridyl)-3 pyrrolidinoprop-1-ene which has little or no antihistamine activity.

The antihistamines now in use, including diphenylhydramine, the pheniramines, pyrilamine, promethazine and triprolidine have one potential disadvantage in common; they all cause sedation or drowsiness in some patients.

A novel group of compounds having antihistamine activity has now been discovered.

Accordingly this invention provides a compound of the formula (I).

or a salt, ester or amide thereof; wherein R1 is hydrogen or C14 alkyl and R2 is C, 4alkyl substituted by a group R3CO2H or R, or R2 taken together with the nitrogen comprise a nitrogencontaining heterocyclic ring having four to six ring members substituted by a group R3CO2H, wherein R3 is a C17 aliphatic hydrocarbon group or a single bond; R4 is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, cyano, C14 acyloxy, C14 alkoxy or C,4 alkyl optionally substituted by one to three halogen atoms; X is -N or -CH =; and A and B each represent hydrogen atoms or -CA-CB- represents -C = C-.

Suitably P1 is a methyl or ethyl group. Suitably R2 is a methyl or ethyl group substituted by a group R3CO2H, or NR,R2 form a four to six-membered hetero cylic ring, preferably a saturated heterocylic ring such as pyrrolidine, piperidine or morpholine, substituted by a group R3CO2 H.

When NR,R2 is a heterocyclic ring the group R3CO2H is preferably attached to the carbon atom adjacent to the nitrogen atom which acts as a link between the heterocyclic group and the rest of the molecule. Preferably NR,R2 is a dimethylamino group or a pyrrolidine group substituted by a group R3CO2H.

R3 may be a straight or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group or a single bond. Suitably P3 is a straight chain C14 hydrocarbon group or a single bond. Suitably R3 contains at the most one double or triple bond. Preferably P3 is a group (CH2)n wherein n is an integer 0 to 4, or a group (CH2)a CH = CH(CH2)b where a and b are independently 0 to 3 and the sum of a and b does not exceed 3. Most preferably P3 is a single bond.

Suitably n is O to 3 and preferably n is 2. Suitably the sum of a and b does not exceed 2 and preferably a and b are both 0.

Suitably P4 is hydrogen, halogen, C14 alkoxy or trifluoromethyl. Most suitably P4 is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, bromo, chloro or fluoro. Preferably P4 is methyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, bromo or chloro. Most preferably P4 is methyl.

Preferably X is -N = A preferred group of compounds of the formula (I) is that of the formula (ill):

or a salt, ester or amide thereof; wherein R, to R4 are as hereinbefore defined. Of the compounds of the formula (II), those wherein NR,R2 is pyrrolidino substituted by C02H, CH = CHCO2H or CH2CH2CO2H and R4 is methyl or trifluoromethyl are particularly preferred.

A further preferred group of compounds of the formula (I) is that of the formula (ill)

or a salt, ester or amide thereof; wherein R, to R4 are as hereinbefore defined. Of the compounds of the formula (III), those wherein NR, R2 is dimethylamino or pyrrolidino substituted by C02H, CH = CHCO2H or CH2CH2CO2H and R4 is chlorine or bromine are particularly preferred.

Amides of the compounds of the formula (I) included within the scope of the invention are amides conventionally formed from carboxylic acids. Amides formed from ammonia, primary amines or amino acides, such as glycine, are particularly suitable.

Solvates of the compounds of the formula (I) are also included within the scope of the present invention. Preferred solvates include hydrates and C14 alkanolates.

When the compounds of formula (I) contain a double bond in the side chain terminating in the group NR,R2, for example the compounds of formula (II), they exist in either the cis or trans isomeric form(s) (in relation to the X-containing ring). The compounds of the formula (II) have been drawn in the trans configuration and these are the isomers which primarily have useful antihistamine activity. The compounds in the cis configuration are primarily useful as intermediates in preparing the trans isomers. The present invention also provides mixtures of the isomers.

When R3 in the substituent R3CO2H contains a double bond, further isomers of the compounds of the formula (I) exist, and both isomers and the isomeric mixture of these compounds are included within the scope of the present invention.

Esters and amides of the compounds of the formula (I) whilst having some antihistamine activity in their own right may also be useful intermediates in the preparation of the carboxy compounds of the formula (I). Suitable esters include conventional ester groups known to be useful for protecting carboxylic acid groups such as C16 alkyl esters wherein the alkyl group is straight or branched chain and is optionally substituted by halogen. Alkyl esters (C, 4) are particularly preferred.

Salts of the compounds of formula (I) may be either acid addition salts or salts formed with the carboxylic acid group. Acid addition salts are preferred but salts formed from the carboxylic acid group may be particularly useful in preparing the corresponding carboxy compound.

Pharmacetically acceptable salts are preferred.

When used in medicine, the salts of the compound of formula (I) should be both pharmacologically and pharmaceutically acceptable, but non-pharmaceutically acceptable salts may conveniently be used to prepare the free active compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and are not excluded from the scope of this invention. Such pharmacologically and pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts include, but are not limited to, those prepared from the following acids: hydrochloric, sulphuric, nitric, phosphoric, maleic, salicyclic, toluene-psulphonic, tartaric, citric, methanesulphonic, formic, malonic, isethionic, succinic, naphthalene-2sulphonic and benzenesulphonic. Also, pharmaceutically acceptable salts can be prepared as alkaline metal or alkaline earth salts, such as sodium, potassium or calcium salts of the carboxylic acid group.

Preferred compounds of the formula (I) include: 1-(3-(2-pyridyl)-3-(4-tolyl)prop-2Eenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid or salts, esters, solvates or amides thereof.

The present invention also provides a method for preparing compounds of the formula (I), which method comprises:- a) The reaction of a compound of formula (IV)

or an ester thereof with an amine HNR,R2 wherein X, A, B and R, to R4 are as hereinbefore defined and L is a leaving group; b) When it is required to prepare a compound of the formula (I) wherein CA-CB represents a double bond: 1) The reaction of a compound of the formula (V):

with a Wittig reagent suitable for attaching the side chain = CHCH2NR'R2 wherein X and R, to R4 are as hereinbefore defined and the carboxylic acid group is in the form of an ester, amide or salt, followed by deprotection of the carboxy group if desired; 2) The elimination of R50H from a compound of the formula (Vl)::

or an ester or amide thereof, wherein X, R, to R4 are as hereinbefore defined and R5 is hydrogen or C14 acyl; 3) The reaction of a compound of the formula (VII):

with an amine HNR,R2, wherein R, to R4 are as hereinbefore defined and R6 is a C14 acyloxy group; c) and thereafter, optionally converting one compound of the formula (I) to another compound of the formula (I) by methods well known to those skilled in the art, for example the isomerisation of a compound of the formula (VIII)

when CA-CB is a double bond, the reduction of one or more double bonds or de-esterification of the ester group.

a) Suitable leaving groups L in the compounds of the formula (IV) are those as defined by J.

March, Advanced Organic Chemistry, 2nd ed., pages 683 and 895, McGraw Hill, New York, 1 977, e.g. -Br, -Cl, toluenesulphonate, methanesulphonate, acyloxy (such as acetate), etc.

This reaction will normally be carried out in a solvent suitable for carrying out such displacement reactions, for example a polar solvent, such as a C14 alkanol or a polar aprotic solvent such as dimethyl suphoxide, at a temperature between 0 and 1 80 C.

The compounds of the formula (IV) may be prepared by the reaction of the corresponding compound where L is a hydroxy group with an acid or a suitable reactive acid derivative.

Suitable reactants include hydrogen halides, halogenated phosphorus compounds such as phosphorus pentachloride or phosphorus oxychloride, a suitable sulphonyl chloride (such as methane sulphonyl chloride or p-toluene sulphonyl chloride) or an acid anhydride, such as acetic anhydride. The reaction will conveniently be carried out in a suitable solvent under conditions well known to those skilled in the art, for example a non-protic solvent such as an ether or a halogenated hydrocarbon, in the present of a base such as a tertiary amine (for example triethylamine) at a non-extreme temperature, for example between 0" and 1 00 C and conveniently at room temperature. When a tertiary amine is used as a base, an excess of this may be used as the solvent.

The hydroxy compounds wherein -CA-CB- represents -C = C- may be prepared by the reaction of a compound of formula (V) with an appropriate Wittig reagen containing a protected hydroxy group for example

wherein R7 is a C14 alkyl or phenyl group, which is liberated by the action of strong base on the corresponding phosphonium salt

where Hal is chlorine or bromine, followed by deprotection of the hydroxy group in a conventional manner, for example mild acid hydrolysis.

The compounds of the formula (IV) wherein -CA-CB- represents -C = C- may also be prepared by the rearrangement of a compound of the formula (VII). This rearrangment is suitably carried out in the presence of a catalyst, for example a suitable solubilised palladium catalyst, such as bis-(benzonitrile)palladium (II) dichloride or bis-(acetronitrile)palladium (II) dichloride, in a suitable solvent, preferably in a suitable polar aprotic solvent, such as acetonitrile, at a non-extreme temperature, for example between 20 and 1 20 C, most suitably between 40 and 90 C, followed by conversion of the group R6 to a leaving group L by conventional methods, normally via the compound where L is a hydroxy group.The corresponding compounds wherein -CA-CB- represents -CH-CH- may be prepared from the unsatured compounds by reduction, for example hydrogenolysis in the presence of a suitable transition metal catalyst, such as palladium on charcoal.

(b(i)) The Wittig reagent is conveniently a compound of the formula (R7)3P = CHCH2NR,R2 which can be liberated from its corresponding phosphonium salt (R7)3P+CH2CH2NR,R2 Halwherein Hal,R, and R2 are as hereinbefore defined and R7 is a C14 alkyl or phenyl group by reaction with a strong base. The reaction is suitably carried out in an inert solvent such as toluene or tetrahydrofuran at a temperature of between 0" and 50"C and conveniently at room temperature. Suitably the strong base is an alkyl or aryl lithium compound, such as butyl lithium, or a metal hydride, such as sodium hydride. The use of butyl lithium in toluene at room temperature has been found to be particularly convenient.The phosphonium salts (R,)3P+CH2BR,R2 Hal- may be prepared by known methods (see, for example, UK Patent No.

1161201).

The compounds of formula (V) can be prepared by treatment of a compound of formula (IX) with a metal alkyl compound, for example butyllithium, in a suitable solvent such as toluene, followed by reaction with a compound of formula (X) wherein R8 is halogen such as chlorine or bromine and R4 is a hereinbefore defined.

(b(2)) The elimination of R5 OH from compounds of formula (VI) is conveniently accomplished in the presence of a strong mineral acid, for example concentrated sulphuric acid, at an elevated temperature, for example between 100" and 200"C, suitably 125 to 1 50 C.

The compound of the formula (Vl) is conveniently prepared from the reaction of a compound of formula (IX) with a metal alkyl compound such as butyllithium followed by reaction with a compound of the formula (XI):

This reaction is suitably carried out at low temperature, for example between - 90' and - 30"C, conveniently between - 70" and 40"C, in an inert solvent, for example toluene, and in an inert atmosphere.

This reaction is suitably carried out at low temperature, for example between - 90" and - 30"C, conveniently between - 70" and - 40"C, in an inert solvent, for example toluene, and in an inert atmosphere.

(b(3)) The reaction of a compound of formula (VII) with an amine HNR,R2 is suitably carried out in the presence of a palladium catalyst. The reaction is conveniently carried out in a polar aprotic solvent, such as acetonitrile, at an elevated temperature, for example between 20 and 100"C, suitably between 30 and 80"C and conveniently between 50 and 70"C. This reaction is conveniently carried out on an ester of the amine HNR,R2.

The compounds of formula (VII) may conveniently be prepared by the acylation of the corresponding compound wherein R6 is a hydroxy group. This reaction is suitably carried out by the use of the appropriate acyl anhydride in the presence of base, for example triethylamine.

The use of 4-N,N-dimethylaminopyridine as a catalyst has been found to facilitate this reaction.

The preparation of the hydroxy compounds is suitably carried out by the reaction of a compound of the formula (V) with a Grignard reagent CH2 = CHMg Hal wherein Hal is a suitable halogen atom such as bromine. This reaction is carried out under conditions conveniently used for Grignard reactions, for example in an inert anhydrous solvent such as tetrahydrofuran and can advantageously be carried out in the presence of zinc chloride thereby generating divinyl zinc which reacts with the compound of the formula (V) in situ.

c) The isomerization of a compound of the formula (VIII) is suitably carried out in the presence of in excess of one molar equivalent of a strong acid, suitably a strong mineral acid, for example sulphuric acid, at an elevated temperature, or example between 50 and 1 60 C, conveniently between 125 and 150"C.

The compounds of the formula (VIII) may be prepared as by-products in some of the reaction methods for the preparation of compounds of the formula (I) and may be obtained from the reaction mixture by conventional separation techniques, for example by chomatography or by techniques that rely on solubility differences between the two isomers in a suitable solvent.

The reduction of one or two double bonds, i.e. the reduction of the double bond terminating in the group NR,R2 or the reduction of the double bond in the carboxy side chain may conveniently be carried out by hydrogenation in the presence of a transition metal catalyst, for example palladium on charcoal. The preparation of esters or amides from the corresponding carboxylic acid, and vice versa, may similarly be carried out by methods well known to those skilled in the art.

Those intermediates of the formulae (IV), (VI), (VII) and (Xl) that are novel form an important further aspect of the present invention.

The compounds of this invention may be used for the same indications as triprolidine, namely to relieve symptoms of nasal stuffiness due to colds and vasomotor rhinitis and for the symptomatic control of allergic conditions including nasal allergy, perennial rhinitis, urticaria, angioneurotic oedema, allergic conjunctivitis, food allergy, drug and serum reactions, insect bites and stings and desensitizing reactions. The compounds may also be used in conditions responsive to their antipruritic activity including allergic dermatoses, neurodermatitis, anogenital pruritus, and pruritus of non-specific origin such as eczema, and of specific cause such as chickenpox, photosensitivity and sunburn. The present invention therefore provides a method for the symptomatic treatment of allergic conditions by the administration of an effective amount of a compound of the formula (I).The present invention also provides a method for the antagonism of endogenously released histamine by the administration of an effective amount of a compound of the formula (I). Some of the compounds of the present invention have been found to be substantially free from sedative effects and to have little or no anticholinergic effects.

The amount of active compound required for use in the above conditions will vary with the compound chosen, the route of administration and the condition and mammal undergoing treatment, and is ultimately at the discretion of the physician. A suitable oral dose of the active compound for a mammal is in the range of from 0.003 to 1.0 mg per kilogram body weight per day; preferably from 0.04 to 0.24 mg/kg. For example a typical dose for a human recipient of compound (A) (see example 1 and Table 1 hereafter) is 0.12 mg/kg body weight per day.

The desired daily dose is preferably presented as from one to six sub-doses administered at appropriate intervals throughout the day as needed. Where three subdoses of compounds of formula (I) are employed, each will preferably lie in the range of from 0.014 to 0.08 mg/kg body weight; for example, a typical sub-dose of such a compound for a human recipient is between 1 and 20 mg, for example 4 or 8 mg.

Whilst it is possible for a compound of the formula (I) to be administered alone as the raw chemical, it is preferable to present the compound of formula (I) as a pharmaceutical formulation. Thus, the present invention also provides pharmaceutical formulations, both for veterinary and for human medical use, which comprise a compound of the formula (I) together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers thereof and optionally any other therapeutic ingredients. For example, the active compound may be formulated with a sympathomimetic agent such as the decongestant pseudoephedrine, an antitussive such as codeine, an analgesic, an antiinflammatory. an antipyretic, or an expectorant. The carrier(s) must be pharmaceutically acceptable in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and not deleterious to the recipient thereof.

The formulations include those suitable for oral, rectal, topical, nasal, ophthalmic or parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular and intravenous) administration.

The formulations may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form and may be prepared by any of the methods well known in the art of pharmacy. All methods include the step of bringing the active compound into association with a carrier which constitutes one or more accessory ingredients. In general, the formulations are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing the active compound into association with a liquid carrier or a finely divided solid carrier or both and then, if necessary, shaping the product into desired formulations.

Formulations of the present invention suitable for oral administration may be presented as ciiscrete units such as capsules, cachets, tablets or lozenges, each containing a predetermined amount of the active compound (defined herein as a compound of formula (I)); as a powder or granules; or a suspension in an aqueous liquid or nonaqueous liquid such as a syrup, and elixir, an emulsion or a draught.

A tablet may be made by compression or molding, optionally with one or more accessory ingredients. Compressed tablets may be prepared by compressing in a suitable machine, with the active compound being in a freeflowing form such as a powder or granules which is optionally mixed with a binder, disintegrant, lubricant, inert diluent, surface active agent or dispersing agent. Molded tablets comprised of a mixture of the powdered active compound with any suitable carrier may be made by molding in a suitable machine.

A syrup may be made by adding the active compound to a concentrated, aqueous solution of a sugar for example sucrose to which may also be added any accessory ingredient(s). Such accessory ingredient(s) may include flavourings, an agent to retard crystallization of the sugar or an agent to increase the solubility of any other ingredient, such as a polyhdric alcohol, for example glycerol or sorbitol, and suitable preservatives.

Formulations for rectal administration may be presented as a suppository with a usual carrier such as cocoa butter, or hydrogenated fats or hydrogenated fatty carboxylic acids.

Formulations suitable for parenteral administration conveniently comprise a sterile aqueous preparation of the active compound which is preferably isotonic with the blood of the recipient.

Nasal spray formulations comprise purified aqueous solutions of the active compound with preservative agents and isotonic agents. Such formulations are adjusted to a pH and isotonic state compatible with the nasal mucous membranes.

Ophthalmic formulations are prepared by a similar method to the nasal spray except that the pH and isotonic factors are adjusted to match that of the eye.

Topical formulations comprise the active compound dissolved or suspended in one or more media such as mineral oil, petroleum, polyhydroxy alcohols or other bases used for topical pharmaceutical formulations. The addition of other accessory ingredients, vide infra, may be desirable.

In addition to the aforementioned ingredients, the formulations of this invention may further include one or more accessory ingredient(s) selected from diluents, buffers, flavouring agents, binders, disintegrants, surface active agents, thickeners, lubricants, prservatives (including anti6xidants) an the like.

The present invention also provides the first use of the compounds of the formula (I) in medicine.

The following Examples are provided by the way of illustration of the present invention and should in no way be construed as a limitation thereof. All temperatures indicated are in degrees Celsius.

Example 1 1 -f3-(2-pyridyll-3-(44olyI)prnp-2E-enyljpyrrolldine-2-carboxylic acid monohydrate L-Proline ethyl ester (20g) was added to a stirred suspension of 2-phenoxyethylytriphenylphosphonium bromide (35g) in ethanol (70ml). Gentle warming gave a clear solution. After 20 hours ether was added to precipitate 2-(2-ethoxycarbonylpyrrolidono) ethyl-triphenylphosphonium bromide as colourless prisms, m.p. 181-2". (26g).

A mixture of the above phosphonium salt (11 .6g) with 2-(4-toluoyl)pyridine (4.5g) in dry tetrahydrofuran (100ml). was treated at 0" under nitrogen with sodium hydride (1.1 g). After stirring at room temperature for 7 hours the ice-bath was re-applied. Hydrochloric acid (50ml), 2M) was cautiously added followed by ether (50 ml). The aqueous phase was separated, washed with ether, basified with ammonia (ice) and thoroughly extracted with light petroleum (Bp 40-60"). Evaporation of the dried extracts gave a yellow oil (1.65g) consisting of 2 parts of Zto 1 part of Eolefin (NMR spectrum). Sulphuric acid (3.5ml, 95%) was added and the resulting solution was heated at 130 for 1 hour.Re-esterification and re-isolation gave a golden oil (0.65) in which the double bond was now mainly in the Econfiguration. The acid obtained by saponification was purified by treatment with activated charcoal in acetone solution.

Evaporation afforded a cream-coloured amorphous solid having analytical and spectral data consistent with the structure of the title compound.

ave (E)-3-y6-y3-pyrrolidino-1-(4-tolyl)prop-1 E-enyl-"'2-pyridyl + acrylic acid as off-white crystals, m.p. 21 8-9a (decomp.). A further recrystallization from isopropanol raised the melting point to 22-3a.

Example 2: Antihistaminic Activity A. In vitro antihistaminic activity: The longitudinal muscle was isolated from the intact ileum of guinea-pigs (Hartley, male 250-400 g) and placed in an organ bath under 300 mg tension.

After one hour of equilibration, cumulative concentration-response curves (Van Rossum, J.M., Arch. Int. Pharmacodyn. Ther. 143 299-330, 1963) to histamine were obtained. Following washing, the tissues were incubated for one hour with the test compound and then a second histamine concentration-response curve was run. Shifts to the right of the agonist concentrationresponse curve produced by the antagonists were used to construct Schild plots (Arunlakshana, 0. and Schild, H.O., Br. J. Pharmacol: 14, 48-58, 1959). Regression of Log (d-1) on Log /B/, where dr is an equiactive response in the presence and absence of antagonist and /B/ is the molar concentration of antagonist, allowed an estimate of pA2, i.e. the negative log of the concentration of antagonist, allowed an estimate of pA2, i.e. the negative log of the concentration of antagonist which shifts the control histamine concentration-response curve 2X to the right. 1-(3-(2-pyridyl 4)3-(4-toly)prop-2E-enyl)pyrrolidine-2- carboxylic acid monohydrate had a pA2 of 6.6.

Example 3: Formulations (A)-lnjection Ingredient Amount per ampoule Compound of formula (I) 1.0 mg Water for Injections, q.s. 1.0 mL The finely ground active compound was dissolved in the water for Injections. The solution was filtered and sterilized by autoclaving.

Ingredient Amount per suppository Compound of Formula (I) 1.0 mg Cocoa Butter, 2.0 g or WecobeeTM Base q.s.

Wecobee is a trademark and is a hydrogenated fatty carboxylic acid.

The finely ground active compound was mixed with the melted suppository base (either Cocoa Butter or WecobeeTM base), poured into moids and allowed to cool to afford the desired suppositories.

(C)-Syrup Ingredient Amount per 5 mL Compound of Formula (I) 1.0 mg Ethanol 0.3 mg Sucrose 2.0 mg Methylparaben 0.5 mg Sodium Benzoate 0.5 mg Cherry Flavour q.s.

Coloring q.s.

Water q.s. to 5.0 mL Ethanol, sucrose, sodium benzoate, methylparaben, and flavouring were combined in 70% of the total batch quantity of water. Coloring and the active compound were dissolved in the remaining water, then the two solutions were mixed and clarified by filtration.

(D)-Tablet Ingredient Amount per Tablet Compound of Formula (I) 1.0 mg Lactose 110.0 mg Corn Starch, Peegelatinized 2.4 mg Potato Starch 12.0 mg Magnesium stearate 0.5 mg The active compound was finely ground and intimately mixed with the powdered excipients lactose, corn starch, potato starch and magnesium stearate. The formulation was then compressed to afford a tablet weighing 126 mg.

(E)-Capsule Ingredient Amount per Capsule Compound of Formula (I) 1.0 mg Lactose 440.0 mg Magnesium Stearate 5.0 The finely ground active compound was mixed with the powdered excipients lactose, corn starch and stearic acid and packed into gelatin capsules.

(F)-Tablet Ingredient Amount per Tablet Compound of Formula (I) 1.0 mg Pseudoephedrine HCI 60.0 mg Lactose 62.5 mg Potato Starch 14.0 mg Magnesium Stearate 1.0 mg Gelatin 2.8 mg A tablet was prepared from the above formulation by the method previously described in Example 3 (D).

Ingredient (G)-Syrup Amount per 5 mL Compound of Formula (I) 1.0 mg Pseudoephedrine HCI 30.0 mg Codeine Phosphate 10.0 mg Guaifenesin 100.0 mg Methylparaben 0.5 mg Sodium benzoate 0.5 mg Flavorq S.

Colorq S.

Glycerol 500 mg Sucrose 2000mg Purified Water q.s.to 5.0 mL A syrup containing other active ingredients in addition to a compound of formula (I) was prepared from the above ingredients by an analogous method to that described for Example 3 (C) above.

(H)-Nasal Spray Ingredient Amount per 100.0 mL Compound of Formula (I) 1 g Sodium Chloride 0.8 g Preservative 0.5 g Purified Water q.s. 100 mL The preservative was dissolved in warm purified water and after cooling to 25"-30"C the sodium chloride and the compound of formula (I) were added. The pH was then adjusted to 5.5-6.5 and purified water was added to bring the final volume to 100.0 mL.

(I)-Ophthalmic Solution Ingredient Amount per 100.0 mL Compound of Formula (I) 0.1 g Sodium Chloride 0.8 g Preservative 0.5 g Water for Injection q.s. 100.0 mL This formulation was prepared in a similar way to the nasal spray.

(J)-Topical Cream Ingredient Amount per 100.0 mL Compound of Formula (I) 0.1 g Emusifying Wax, N.F. 15.0 g Mineral Oil 5.0 9 White Petrolatum 5.0 g Preservative 0.25 g

Claims

1. A compound of the formula (I):

or a salt, ester or amide thereof; wherein R, is hydrogen or C14 alkyl and R2 is C14 alkyl substituted by a group R3CO2H or R, and R2 taken together with the nitrogen comprise a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring having four to six ring members substituted by a group R3CO2H, wherein R3 is a C17 aliphatic hydrocarbon group or a single bond; R4 is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, cyano, C14 acyloxy, C14 alkoxy or C14 alkyl optionally substituted by one to three halogen atoms; X is -N = or -CH =; and A and B each represent hydrogen atoms or -CA-CB- represents -C = C-.

2. A compound of the formula (ill):

or a salt, ester or amide thereof; wherein R, to R4 are as hereinbefore defined.

3. A compound of the formula (III):

4. A compound according to claim 2 wherein R' and R2 are the same or different and each is methyl or ethyl substituted by a group R3CO2H or NR'R2 form a pyrrolidine, piperidine or morpholine ring substituted by a group R3CO2H.

5. 1 -(3-(2-pyridyl)-3-(4-tolyl)prop-2 Eenyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid or a salt, ester, solvate or amide thereof.

6. A method for the preparation of a compound of the formula (I), which method comprises: a) the reaction of a compound of the formula (IV):

or an ester thereof with an amine HNR,R2 wherein X, A, B and R, to R4 are as hereinbefore defined and L is a leaving group; b) when it is required to prepare a compound of the formula (I) wherein CA-CB represents a double bond: i) the reaction of a compound of the formula (V)

with a Wittig reagent suitable for attaching the side chain = CHCH2NR'R2 wherein X and R, to R4 are as hereinbefore defined and the carboxylic acid group is in the form of an ester, amide or salt, followed by deprotection of the carboxy group if desired; ii) the elimination of R5 OH from a compound of the formula (VI)::

or an ester or amide thereof, wherein X, R, to R4 are as hereinbefore defined and R5 is hydrogen or C14 acyl; iii) the reaction of a compound of the formula (VII):

with an amine HNR1R2, wherein R, to R4 are as hereinbefore defined and R8 is a C14 acyloxy group; c) and thereafter, optionally converting one compound of the formula (I) to another compound of the formula (I) by methods well known to those skilled in the art, for example the isomerisation of a compound of the formula (VIII)

7. Novel chemical intermediates of the-formulae (IV), (VI), (ill) and (XI).

8. A compound of the formula (I), according to claim 1 for use in the symptomatic treatment of allergic conditions.

9. Pharmaceutical formulations both for human and veterinary use, which formulations comprise a compound of the formula (I) together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers thereof and optionally any other therapeutic ingredients.

10. A formulation, according to claim 8, for use in the treatment of humans.