Pharmacological comparison of R(+), S(−) and racemic secobarbital in mice

Abstract

Pharmacological tests in mice demonstrated differences in potency between the stereoisomers of secobarbital. The S(−) antipode was a more potent anesthetic than either the R(+) antipode or the racemic mixture. The S(−) isomer was also the most toxic and the R(+) the least toxic. As anticonvulsants both compounds were equipotent against pentylenetetrazol- and strychnine-induced seizures but the S(−) isomer protected the animals for a longer time interval than the R(+) isomer. The results obtained have been discussed upon the basis of the steric configurations of the compounds.