RESUMEN
The neuropsychopharmacological profile of a new centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant, 2,4-dihydro[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-c][1,4]benzothiazine-1-one (IDPH-791), an analogue of triazolobenzothiazine, has been described and compared to mephenesin, a well known centrally-acting muscle relaxant. IDPH-791 was found to be safer and of longer duration of action than mephenesin in all the tests conducted in this study. Both IDPH-791 and mephenesin caused ataxia, decrease in spontaneous activity and inhibition of pinnal reflex. IDPH-791 was 1.5 to 2.0 times more potent in exhibiting motor inco-ordination and anticonvulsant activity than mephenesin in mice and rats. IDPH-791 was twice as active in inhibiting various spinal polysynaptic reflexes, crossed extensor, flexor, and linguomandibular reflexes; however, both did not affect the typical monosynaptic reflex, patellar reflex. IDPH-791 and mephenesin did not have sedative activity. Although mephenesin exhibited haemolytic activity, IDPH-791 was devoid of this activity. It is concluded that IDPH-791 is a safe and effective centrally-acting muscle relaxant having a longer duration of action than mephenesin. IDPH-791 is also devoid of sedative and haemolytic activity.