The effects of the novel Ca2+ antagonist sesamodil fumarate (JAN), (+)-3,4-dihydro-2-[5-methoxy-2-[3-[N-methyl-N-[2-[(3,4- methylenedioxy)phenoxy]ethyl]amino]propoxy]phenyl]-4-methyl-3-oxo-2H- 1,4-benzothiazine hydrogen fumarate (SD-3211), on isolated smooth muscles and cardiac muscles were investigated and compared with those of diltiazem, verapamil, nifedipine and nicardipine. Ca2+ antagonistic activity of SD-3211 (pA2 = 8.42) was more potent than that of diltiazem and verapamil, but less potent than that of nifedipine and nicardipine in isolated pig coronary artery. The inhibition of Ca2(+)-induced contraction by SD-3211 was not reversed by drug washout, whereas that by diltiazem was easily reversed by drug washout. SD-3211 produced a concentration-dependent relaxation (EC50 = 5.7 x 10(-8) mol/l) of KCl-contracted pig coronary artery. The order of potency of the various compounds correlated with their respective Ca2+ antagonistic activities. SD-3211 antagonized KCl-induced contraction, but not that induced by A23187, in the rabbit aorta. On the other hand, negative inotropic and chronotropic effects of SD-3211 on the guinea pig right atria approximated those of diltiazem and verapamil. These results suggest that SD-3211 exerts a potent and long-lasting Ca2+ antagonistic effect on isolated arteries, possessing pharmacological properties diverse from those of known Ca2+ antagonists with respect to tissue selectivity, i.e., it is more vasoselective than diltiazem and verapamil, and more cardioselective than nifedipine and nicardipine.