Abstract
2′-O-Methylinosine (1) has been isolated for the first time and shown to be an intrinsic hypotensive principle. Its probable in vivo precursor, 2′-O-methyladenosine (3), showed stronger and even orally potent hypotensive activity. Resistance of the methyladenosine (3) against adenosine deaminase is thought to contribute to its long-lasting activity. The effect of both nucleosides (1 and 3) was not accompanied with any significant change in heart rate, which is often observed with adenosine.
Keywords: Key words. Methyladenosine; methylinosine; hypotension; adenosine; adenosine deaminase.
Footnotes
Received 2 October 1997; accepted 28 October 1997
