Hydroxy Substituted Diphenylalkyls for Treatment of Lipidemia

This invention relates to the pharmaceutical activity of diphenyl alkyl derivatives. More particularly, this invention concerns the use of hydroxy substituted diphenylalkyls in the treatment of lipidemia in mammals. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing the above compounds as an active ingredient thereof.

The active agents with which this invention is concerned may be represented by the following structural formula: ##SPC1##

Where

M is 0, 1 or 2;

N is 0 or 1;

R.sub.1 represents hydrogen or hydroxy; and

R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 each independently represent hydrogen or methyl provided that when m is 0, n is 0 and that when m is 1 or 2 n is 1 and R.sub.1 is hydroxy and that when m is 2, each

R.sub.2 can be the same or different and each R.sub.3 can be the same or different and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Preferred compounds of formula I are bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)methane and 1,4-bis (3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2,3-dimethylbutane (nordihydroguairetic acid).

The compounds of formula I above are known and may be prepared according to methods disclosed in the literature from known materials. The pharmaceutically acceptable salts may be mono- or di-salts and include the alkali metal salts, in particular, the sodium and potassium salts and the alkaline earth metal salts, such as the magnesium and calcium salts. These salts may also be prepared by methods disclosed in the literature. The present invention contemplates only the novel use of such compounds in pharmaceutical applications, particularly as hypolipidemic agents.

As previously indicated, the compounds of formula (I) are useful because they possess pharmacological activity in animals, e.g., mammals. In particular, the compounds of formula (I) are useful as hypolipidemic agents in the treatment of lipidemia, in particular, hyperlipoproteinemia as indicated by the fall in cholesterol and/or triglyceride levels in male albino Wistar rats weighing 110-130 g. initially. The rats are maintained on drug-free laboratory chow diet for seven days and then divided into groups of 8 to 10 animals. Each group with the exception of the control is then given the compound orally at a dose of 7.5, 30, 250 or 500 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day, p.o. for six days. At the end of this period, the animals are anesthetized with sodium hexobarbital and bled from the carotid arteries. Serum or plasma samples are then extracted with isopropanol, and the cholesterol content of the extracts is estimated on a Technicon Autoanalyzer by standard methodology. For example, 1.0 ml. of serum is added to 9.0 ml. redistilled isopropanol. Two autoanalyzer cupsful of a mixture of zeolite-copper hydroxide and Lloydds reagent (Kersler, E., and Lederer, H., 1965, Technicon Symposium, Madiad Inc., New York, 345-347) are added, and the mixture is shaken for 1 hour. Cholesterol levels are determined using this sample by the standard Technicon N 24A (cholesterol) methodology. The mean total serum cholesterol levels are then computed and the hypocholesterolemic activity is expressed as the fall in cholesterol levels as a percentage of the control level. For the triglyceride determination, blood samples are collected as above and 1.0 ml samples of the serum are added to 9.0 ml redistilled isopropanol. Two autoanalyzer cupsful of a mixture of zeolite-copper hydroxide and Lloydds reagent (Kessler, G., and Lederer, H., 1965, Technicon Symposium, Mediad Inc., New York, 345-347) are added, and the mixture is shaken for one hour. After centrifugation, 2 ml of the clear supernates are evaporated to dryness and saponified by addition of 0.1 ml 10% KOH in 90% ethanol and 1.0 ml Skelly B (petroleum ether bp 60.degree.-70.degree.). After acidification and the removal of fatty acids with petroleum ether, the aqueous phases are neutralized, suitably diluted with water, and analyzed for glycerol by the method of Lofland (Anal. Biochem. 9, 393, 1964) using the Technicon Autoanalyzer. The change in serum triglyceride levels induced by the drug is computed as a percentage of the control triglyceride levels.

For such usage, the compounds are administered orally as such or admixed with conventional pharmaceutical carriers. They may be administered in such forms as tablets, dispersible powders, granules, capsules, syrups and elixirs. The compositions may contain one or more conventional adjuvants, such as sweetening agents, flavoring agents, coloring agents and preserving agents, in order to provide an elegant and palatable preparation. Tablets may contain the active ingredient in admixture with conventional pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, e.g., inert diluents, such as calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, lactose and talc, granulating and disintegrating agents, e.g., starch and alginic acid, binding agents, e.g., starch, gelatin and acacia, and lubricating agents, e.g., magnesium stearate, stearic acid and talc. The tablets may be uncoated or coated by known techniques to delay disintegration and absorption in the gastro-intestinal tract and thereby provide a sustained action over a longer period. Similarly, oral liquids, e.g. suspensions may contain the active ingredient in admixture with any of the conventional excipients utilized for the preparation of such compositions, e.g., suspending agents (methylcellulose, tragacanth and sodium alginate), wetting agents (lecithin, polyoxyethylene stearate and polyoxyethylene sorbitan mono-oleate) and preservatives (ethyl-o-hydroxybenzoate). Capsules may contain the active ingredient alone or admixed with an inert solid diluent, e.g., calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate and kaolin. These pharmaceutical preparations may contain up to about 90% of the active ingredient in combination with the carrier or adjuvant.

The anti-hyperlipidemic effective dosage of the compounds of formula I employed for the alleviation of lipidemia may vary depending on the particular compound employed and the severity of the condition being treated. However, in general, satisfactory results are obtained when the compounds of formula (I) are administered at a daily dosage of from about 2 milligrams to about 500 milligrams per kilogram of animal body weight, p.o. preferably given in divided doses two to four times a day, or in sustained release form. The preferred dosage for the salt forms is 10 milligrams to 500 milligrams per kilogram of animal body weight p.o. For most large mammals, the total daily dosage is from about 150 to about 4000 milligrams. In the acid form, the preferred daily dosage is 150 to 2000 milligrams; and in the salt form, the preferred daily dose is 600 to 4000 milligrams. Dosage forms suitable for internal use comprise from about 37.5 to about 1000 milligrams of the active compound in acid form or 150 to 2000 milligrams in salt form in intimate admixture with a solid or liquid pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

The preferred pharmaceutical compositions from the standpoint of preparation and ease of administration are solid compositions, particularly hard-filled capsules and tablets containing from about 50 to 250 milligrams of the active ingredient in acid form and 300 milligrams in salt form.

Tablets -- Tablets suitable for oral administration which contain the following ingredients may be prepared by conventional tabletting techniques. Such tablets are useful in treating lipidemia at a dose of one or two tablets 2 to 4 times a day.

Dry Filled Capsules -- Capsules suitable for oral administration which contain the following ingredients are prepared in a conventional manner. Such capsules are useful in treating lipidemia at a dose of one capsule 2 to 4 times a day.

The following pharmaceutical compositions are formulated with the indicated amount of active agent using conventional techniques. The injectable suspension and the oral liquid suspension represent formulations useful as unit doses and may be administered in the treatment of lipidemia. The injectable suspension is suitable for administration once or twice a day whereas the oral liquid suspension is suitable administered 2 to 4 times per day for this purpose:

Tablets and capsules containing the ingredients indicated below may be prepared by conventional techniques and are useful in treating lipidemia at a dose of one or two tablets or capsules 2 to 4 times a day.

Similarly, tablets and capsules can be prepared using the disodium salt of bis-(p-hydroxyphenyl)methane in place of the bis (p-hydroxyphenyl)methane at the same dosage level and used in treating lipidemia.

The following pharmaceutical compositions are formulated with the indicated amount of active agent using conventional techniques. The injectable suspension and the oral liquid suspension represent formulations useful as unit doses and may be administered in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. The injectable suspension is suitable for administration once or twice a day whereas the oral liquid suspension is suitably administered 2 to 4 times per day for this purpose.

Similarly, injectable solutions and suspension and oral liquid solutions and suspensions may be prepared by conventional techniques using the disodium salt of bis-(p-hydroxyphenyl)methane at the above dosage levels and used in the treatment of lipidemia.

Tablets and capsules containing the ingredients indicated below may be prepared by conventional techniques and are useful in treating lipidemia at a dose of one or two tablets or capsules 2 to 4 times a day.

The following pharmaceutical compositions are formulated with the indicated amount of active agent using conventional techniques. The injectable suspension and the oral liquid suspension represent formulations useful as unit doses and may be administered in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. The injectable suspension is suitable for administration twice a day whereas the oral liquid suspension is suitable administered 2 to 4 times per day for this purpose.

Compositions useful in treating lipidemia analogous to those of Examples 9 to 12 may be formulated by employing, in place of the sodium salt form of bis-(p-hydroxyphenyl)methane, the dipotassium, calcium or magnesium salt form thereof.