4-Aryl-3-(mercapto)quinolin-2-ones: novel maxi-K channel opening relaxants of corporal smooth muscle

A novel series of 4-aryl-3-(mercapto)quinolin-2-one derivatives was prepared and evaluated as openers of the cloned maxi-K channel hSlo expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes by utilizing electrophysiological methods. The effect of these maxi-K openers on corporal smooth muscle was studied in vitro using isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum. In vivo efficacy has been demonstrated with a selective maxi-K opening relaxant in a rat model of erectile function.