Cardenolide analogues. 7. Synthesis and biological activity of some new steroidal guanylhydrazones

The synthesis, proof of structure, and biological activity of some new steroidal 17beta-formyl guanylhydrazones are described. The guanylhydrazones of nondigitalis-like steroids inhibited myocardial Na+,K+-ATPase but had only a depressant effect on myocardial contractility. By comparison, the corresponding guanylhydrazone of a digitalis-like steroid gave a positive inotropic effect in concentrations that also inhibited Na+,K+-ATPase. The nondigitalis-like guanylhydrazones also inhibited membrane Mg2+-ATPase and this may infer that the compounds act nonspecifically by membrane stabilization rather than by interaction with stereoselective receptors. Biological activity was determined in the guinea pig.