The synthesis of diversely substituted 3-alkyl/aralkyl/arylamino-1, 4, 2-benzodithiazine 1, 1- dioxides and 3-alkylaminopyrido [4, 3-e]-1, 4, 2-dithiazine 1, 1-dioxides is described. Their biological activities on pancreatic β-cells and on smooth muscle cells were compared to those of the reference ATP-sensitive potassium channel (KATP channel) openers diazoxide and 7-chloro-3-isopropylamino-4 H-1, 2, 4-benzothiadiazine 1, 1-dioxide. The aim was to ...