Chemical and biological studies of terpenoid compounds

Ahmad, Towhida (1962) Chemical and biological studies of terpenoid compounds. MSc(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

The first section of this thesis reviews the literature dealing with the biological activities known to be present in the terpenoids, and in the main treats the subject in terms of the usual chemical classification of terpenoids as mono-, sesqui-, di- and tri-terpenoids. Selected examples are also given in order to illustrate how the group fits in with modern concepts of drug action, such as structural specificity, the supporting moiety theory and the theory of metabolite displacement. Certain representative members of each chemical sub group are discussed in detail but others are covered in a more general manner in order to lend perspective to the field. The second section is concerned with the synthesis of certain terpenoid hemisuccinates as potential general anaesthetic agents. The preparation of these compounds is justified in terms of theories of general anaesthesia which are briefly discussed. Pharmacological testing showed that the compounds were inactive and this fact is compared with evidence previously reported which indicates that the steroidal general anaesthetics may be structurally specific agents unlike the simple gaseous anaesthetics which are believed to act by a "physical" or structurally non-specific mechanism. The third section of the thesis describes the syenthesis of structurally rigid acetylcholine-like bornane derivatives and the reasons for their preparation. Also included is a summary of present day knowledge of the role of acetylcholine in the animal body and of the different classes of drugs mimicking or antagonising this neurohormone at its various sites of action. A brief discussion of other biologically active bornane derivatives is also given.

• Item Type: Thesis (MSc(R))
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Additional Information: Adviser: M Martin-Smith
• Keywords: Organic chemistry, Pharmacology
• Date of Award: 1962
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1962-73536
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 14 Jun 2019 08:56
• Last Modified: 14 Jun 2019 08:56
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/73536