Pharmacological examination of cinnamein,benzyl succinate and benzyl nitrite

The discovery of the interesting pharmacological properties of benzyl benzoate and benzyl acetate first announced by the author in these Proceedings and the widespread therapeutic use of benzyl benzoate which immediately followed it, has naturally stimulated various observers to search for other benzyl compounds which might be available for clinical work. A number of such compounds have been since described, but none of these to the author's knowledge possessed together the two characteristics of benzyl benzoate, namely simplicity of chemical structure and efficiency of pharmacological action. The present author has also examined a number of benzyl preparations and found a majority of these unimportant in comparison with the original drug. In the present communication, however, it is proposed to describe briefly three benzyl preparations which have more than scientific interest in as much as at least two of these may be suitable for therapeutic application in special cases.

Benzyl benzoate is a synthetic compound, but is also found in nature and it has been suggested that for the production of the benzyl effect Cinnarnein might be used. Cinnamein is a mixture of esters, alcohols and other substances obtained from the balsams of Peru and Tolu. Among these are benzyl benzoate and benzyl cinnamate. Cinnamein is a drug possessing a pleasant aromatic odor and bitierish taste and is anesthetic to the tongue and lips. Pharmacological experiments with it showed distinct benzyl effects on smooth muscle organs. The toxicity of the preparation was, however, found to be greater than that of benzyl benzoate, for rats, guinea pigs and cats, the ratio of toxicity between cinnamein and benzyl benzoate being three to two. This drug was administered therapeutically to a number of cases.