A series of 1,4-dihydropyridines bearing a coumarin moiety in 4-positi
on was synthesized. The compounds were evaluated for inotropic, chrono
tropic and calcium antagonist activities. The replacement of the o-nit
rophenyl moiety of nifedipine with a coumarin or phenylcoumarin system
is accompained by a decrease of the activity on myocardial and vascul
ar parameters, but the synthesized compounds showed selective inhibiti
ng effects on cardiac contractility and frequency. (C) 1998 Elsevier S
cience Ltd. All rights reserved.