The hypotensive effect and antifungal activity of 3,3'-dihydroxy-alpha,beta-diethyldiphenylethane

3,3'-Dihydroxy-alpha,beta-diethyldiphenylethane (I), an isomer of hexestrol (II), was found to have a strong hypotensive effect on rats and antifungal activity against some pathogenic fungi. The hypotensive effect of I (-100.0 +/- 21.0 mmHg, 10 mg/kg, i.v.) was stronger than that of II (-40.0 +/- 2.60 mmHg, i.v.). Unlike II and other oxystilbene-related compounds already tested, I showed prolonged hypotensive action at the dose of 10 mg/kg, and the blood pressure was not restored to the original level within 20 min. I also showed antifungal activity against all fungi tested (minimal inhibitory concentration: 10-120 micrograms/ml). It should be emphasized that by shifting the phenolic hydroxyl group to m-position, the biological activities were greatly increased.