Synthesis and antiallergic activity of 2-hydroxy-3-nitro-1,4-naphthoquinones

A selection of novel 2-hydroxy-3-nitro-1,4-naphthoquinones are shown to be potent inhibitors of rat passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) and to have highest potency with alkyl substitution at both C-6 and C-7. The most potent compounds were 7c and 7e which produced a 50% inhibition in the rat PCA test at doses of about 10 micrometerM/kg following subcutaneous administration and showed activity after oral administration. Related 4-hydroxy-3-nitro-2(1H)-naphthalenones had no effect on rat PCA in doses up to 500 micrometerM/kg.