1
|
AlKhelb D, Burke EL, Zvonok A, Iliopoulos-Tsoutsouvas C, Georgiadis MO, Jiang S, Ho TC, Nikas SP, Makriyannis A, Desai RI. Effects of cannabinoid agonists and antagonists in male rats discriminating the synthetic cannabinoid AM2201. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 960:176168. [PMID: 38059442 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.176168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
The synthetic forms of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), dronabinol or nabilone, have been approved to treat several indications. However, due to safety concerns their clinical utility remains limited. Consequently, there is a need for developing cannabinoid (CB) ligands that display better behavioral pharmacological profiles than Δ9-THC. Here, we utilized drug discrimination methods to compare the interoceptive effects of CB ligands that vary in potency, efficacy, and selectivity at the CB receptors, including two ligands, AM411 and AM4089, that show CB1 partial agonist-like actions in vitro. Male rats were trained to discriminate 0.1 mg/kg AM2201 from saline under a fixed-ratio (FR) 10 response schedule of food reinforcement. After establishing AM2201's discriminative-stimulus effects, pretreatment tests with the CB1 antagonist/inverse agonist rimonabant blocked AM2201's effects, whereas the peripherally-restricted antagonist AM6545 had no effect. Next, the generalization profiles of AM411 and AM4089 with CB1 full agonists (JWH-018, CP-55,940, AM8936), partial agonist (Δ9-THC), and non-cannabinoids (fentanyl, atropine) were compared. The CBs either fully (AM2201, CP-55,940, JWH-018, AM8936, Δ9-THC) or partially (AM411, AM4089) substituted for AM2201, whereas fentanyl and atropine did not produce AM2201-like effects. All CB drugs were more potent than Δ9-THC and correlation analysis confirmed that the relative behavioral potencies of CBs corresponded strongly with their relative affinities at the CB1 but not CB2 receptors. Together, our results further demonstrate that AM411 and AM4089 exhibit better pharmacological profiles compared to Δ9-THC, in that they are more potent and display in vivo partial agonist-like actions that are centrally mediated via CB1 receptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dalal AlKhelb
- Center for Drug Discovery, Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, 12371, Saudi Arabia
| | - Emily L Burke
- Center for Drug Discovery, Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Alexander Zvonok
- MAK Scientific LLC, 151 South Bedford Street, Burlington, MA, 01803, USA
| | - Christos Iliopoulos-Tsoutsouvas
- Center for Drug Discovery, Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Markos-Orestis Georgiadis
- Center for Drug Discovery, Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Shan Jiang
- Center for Drug Discovery, Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Thanh C Ho
- Center for Drug Discovery, Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Spyros P Nikas
- Center for Drug Discovery, Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Alexandros Makriyannis
- Center for Drug Discovery, Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; MAK Scientific LLC, 151 South Bedford Street, Burlington, MA, 01803, USA.
| | - Rajeev I Desai
- Center for Drug Discovery, Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Behavioral Biology Program, Integrative Neurochemistry Laboratory, McLean Hospital - Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
AlKhelb D, Kirunda A, Ho TC, Makriyannis A, Desai RI. Effects of the cannabinoid CB 1-receptor neutral antagonist AM4113 and antagonist/inverse agonist rimonabant on fentanyl discrimination in male rats. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 240:109646. [PMID: 36191533 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Evidence suggests the existence of a functional interaction between endogenous cannabinoid (CB) and opioid systems. Thus, targeting CB1 receptors might be a viable approach to develop new medications for opioid use disorders (OUD). The present studies were undertaken to evaluate the effects of the neutral CB1 antagonist AM4113 and the CB1 antagonist/inverse agonist rimonabant in male rats trained to discriminate 0.032 mg/kg fentanyl from saline under a 10-response fixed-ratio (FR-10) schedule of food reinforcement. Results show that the µ-opioid agonists (fentanyl, oxycodone, and morphine) substituted fully and dose-dependently for fentanyl, whereas pretreatment with the µ-opioid antagonist naltrexone antagonized fentanyl's discriminative-stimulus effects. In interaction studies, AM4113 (0.32 or 1.0 mg/kg) was more effective in blocking fentanyl discrimination at 10-fold lower doses that did not modify rates of food-maintained responding, whereas rimonabant (1.0-10 mg/kg) produced some attenuation of fentanyl's discriminative-stimulus effects at the highest dose tested which also significantly decreased response rates. These results extend our recent work showing that AM4113 can effectively block the behavioral effects of heroin without producing rimonabant-like adverse effects. Taken together, these data suggests that CB1 neutral antagonists effectively block the behavioral effects of structurally distinct morphinan (heroin) and phenylpiperidine-based (fentanyl) opioids and may provide a novel therapeutic option for the treatment of OUD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dalal AlKhelb
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 12371, Saudi Arabia
| | - Andre Kirunda
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Thanh C Ho
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Rajeev I Desai
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Behavioral Biology Program, Integrative Neurochemistry Laboratory, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Roberts CJ, Hillard CJ. Peripherally restricted cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R) antagonist, AM6545, potentiates stress-induced hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation via a non-CB1R mechanism. Endocrine 2021; 72:297-300. [PMID: 33216305 PMCID: PMC8528513 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-020-02549-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Roberts
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA.
- Department of Anesthesiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA.
- The Neuroscience Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA.
| | - Cecilia J Hillard
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
- The Neuroscience Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Nguyen T, Thomas BF, Zhang Y. Overcoming the Psychiatric Side Effects of the Cannabinoid CB1 Receptor Antagonists: Current Approaches for Therapeutics Development. Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 19:1418-1435. [PMID: 31284863 DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666190708164841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The Cannabinoid CB1 Receptor (CB1R) is involved in a variety of physiological pathways and has long been considered a golden target for therapeutic manipulation. A large body of evidence in both animal and human studies suggests that CB1R antagonism is highly effective for the treatment of obesity, metabolic disorders and drug addiction. However, the first-in-class CB1R antagonist/inverse agonist, rimonabant, though demonstrating effectiveness for obesity treatment and smoking cessation, displays serious psychiatric side effects, including anxiety, depression and even suicidal ideation, resulting in its eventual withdrawal from the European market. Several strategies are currently being pursued to circumvent the mechanisms leading to these side effects by developing neutral antagonists, peripherally restricted ligands, and allosteric modulators. In this review, we describe the progress in the development of therapeutics targeting the CB1R in the last two decades.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thuy Nguyen
- Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, United States
| | - Brian F Thomas
- Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, United States
| | - Yanan Zhang
- Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zheng T, Zhang R, Zhang T, Zhang MN, Xu B, Song JJ, Li N, Tang HH, Wang P, Wang R, Fang Q. CB 1 cannabinoid receptor agonist mouse VD-hemopressin(α) produced supraspinal analgesic activity in the preclinical models of pain. Brain Res 2017; 1680:155-164. [PMID: 29274880 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2017.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Revised: 10/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Mouse VD-hemopressin(α) (VD-Hpα) is an undecapeptide that selectively activates CB1 cannabinoid receptor in in vitro functional tests, and exerts CB1-mediated central antinociception in the mouse tail-flick assay. The aim of the present study was to further investigate the analgesic properties of supraspinal mouse VD-Hpα in a range of preclinical pain models. Our results indicated that the classical cannabinoid agonist WIN 55,212-2 produced supraspinal analgesia in preclinical pain models, which was selectively antagonized by the CB1 antagonist/inverse agonist AM251, but not by the CB2 antagonist AM630. In contrast, in post-operative pain model and phase I of formalin test, intracerebroventricular administration of mouse VD-Hpα induced dose-related analgesia in mice, which were markedly reduced by pretreatment with the CB1 neutral antagonist AM4113, but not AM251, AM630 and the selective antagonists of opioid and Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Type 1 (TRPV1) receptors. Furthermore, in the acetic acid-induced visceral pain model, supraspinal administration of mouse VD-Hpα dose-dependently produced analgesic activities and the effects were significantly antagonized by both AM4113 and the TRPV1 receptor antagonist SB366791, but not AM251, AM630 and naloxone. In addition, central injection of mouse VD-Hpα did not have significant effect in phase II of formalin test. Taken together, the present work suggests that the CB1 receptor peptidic agonist mouse VD-Hpα produces supraspinal analgesia in preclinical pain models via a novel CB1 receptor-mediated mechanism, in a manner pharmacologically dissociable from WIN 55,212-2. In addition, TRPV1 receptor might also be involved in mouse VD-Hpα-induced analgesia in a visceral pain model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, China; Department of Clinical Medicine, Gansu Health Vocational College, 60 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Run Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, China; Department of Clinical Medicine, Gansu Health Vocational College, 60 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Meng-Na Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Biao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jing-Jing Song
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Ning Li
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Hong-Hai Tang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Pei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, China.
| | - Quan Fang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, and Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 199 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Blockade of Nicotine and Cannabinoid Reinforcement and Relapse by a Cannabinoid CB1-Receptor Neutral Antagonist AM4113 and Inverse Agonist Rimonabant in Squirrel Monkeys. Neuropsychopharmacology 2016; 41:2283-93. [PMID: 26888056 PMCID: PMC4946059 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2016.27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Revised: 02/08/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Nicotine, the main psychoactive component of tobacco, and (-)-Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, play major roles in tobacco and marijuana dependence as reinforcers of drug-seeking and drug-taking behavior. Drugs that act as inverse agonists of cannabinoid CB1 receptors in the brain can attenuate the rewarding and abuse-related effects of nicotine and THC, but their clinical use is hindered by potentially serious side effects. The recently developed CB1-receptor neutral antagonists may provide an alternative therapeutic approach to nicotine and cannabinoid dependence. Here we compare attenuation of nicotine and THC reinforcement and reinstatement in squirrel monkeys by the CB1-receptor inverse agonist rimonabant and by the recently developed CB1-receptor neutral antagonist AM4113. Both rimonabant and AM4113 reduced two effects of nicotine and THC that play major roles in tobacco and marijuana dependence: (1) maintenance of high rates of drug-taking behavior, and (2) priming- or cue-induced reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior in abstinent subjects (models of relapse). In contrast, neither rimonabant nor AM4113 modified cocaine-reinforced or food-reinforced operant behavior under similar experimental conditions. However, both rimonabant and AM4113 reduced cue-induced reinstatement in monkeys trained to self-administer cocaine, suggesting the involvement of a common cannabinoid-mediated mechanism in the cue-induced reinstatement for different drugs of abuse. These findings point to CB1-receptor neutral antagonists as a new class of medications for treatment of both tobacco dependence and cannabis dependence.
Collapse
|
7
|
Tai S, Nikas SP, Shukla VG, Vemuri K, Makriyannis A, Järbe TU. Cannabinoid withdrawal in mice: inverse agonist vs neutral antagonist. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2015; 232:2751-61. [PMID: 25772338 PMCID: PMC4504748 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-3907-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2014] [Accepted: 02/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Previous reports shows rimonabant's inverse properties may be a limiting factor for treating cannabinoid dependence. To overcome this limitation, neutral antagonists were developed, to address mechanisms by which an inverse agonist and neutral antagonist elicit withdrawal. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to introduce an animal model to study cannabinoid dependence by incorporating traditional methodologies and profiling novel cannabinoid ligands with distinct pharmacological properties/modes of action by evaluating their pharmacological effects on CB1-receptor (CB1R) related physiological/behavioral endpoints. METHODS The cannabinergic AM2389 was acutely characterized in the tetrad (locomotor activity, analgesia, inverted screen/catalepsy bar test, and temperature), with some comparisons made to Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Tolerance was measured in mice repeatedly administered AM2389. Antagonist-precipitated withdrawal was characterized in cannabinoid-adapted mice induced by either centrally acting antagonists, rimonabant and AM4113, or an antagonist with limited brain penetration, AM6545. RESULTS In the tetrad, AM2389 was more potent and longer acting than THC, suggesting a novel approach for inducing dependence. Repeated administration of AM2389 led to tolerance by attenuating hypothermia that was induced by acute AM2389 administration. Antagonist-precipitated withdrawal signs were induced by rimonabant or AM4113, but not by AM6545. Antagonist-precipitated withdrawal was reversed by reinstating AM2389 or THC. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest cannabinoid-precipitated withdrawal may not be ascribed to the inverse properties of rimonabant, but rather to rapid competition with the agonist at the CB1R. This withdrawal syndrome is likely centrally mediated, since only the centrally acting CB1R antagonists elicited withdrawal, i.e., such responses were absent after the purported peripherally selective CB1R antagonist AM6545.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sherrica Tai
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115-5000, USA,
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Järbe TUC, LeMay BJ, Halikhedkar A, Wood J, Vadivel SK, Zvonok A, Makriyannis A. Differentiation between low- and high-efficacy CB1 receptor agonists using a drug discrimination protocol for rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:489-500. [PMID: 24005529 PMCID: PMC3947118 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-013-3257-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2013] [Accepted: 08/16/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The "subjective high" from marijuana ingestion is likely due to Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) activating the central cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) of the endocannabinoid signaling system. THC is a weak partial agonist according to in vitro assays, yet THC mimics the behavioral effects induced by more efficacious cannabinergics. This distinction may be important for understanding similarities and differences in the dose-effect spectra produced by marijuana/THC and designer cannabimimetics ("synthetic marijuana"). OBJECTIVE We evaluated if drug discrimination is able to functionally detect/differentiate between a full, high-efficacy CB1R agonist [(±)AM5983] and the low-efficacy agonist THC in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS Rats were trained to discriminate between four different doses of AM5983 (0.10 to 0.56 mg/kg), and vehicle and dose generalization curves were determined for both ligands at all four training doses of AM5983. The high-efficacy WIN55,212-2 and the lower-efficacy (R)-(+)-methanandamide were examined at some AM5983 training conditions. Antagonism tests involved rimonabant and WIN55,212-2 and AM5983. The separate (S)- and (R)-isomers of (±)AM5983 were tested at one AM5983 training dose (0.30 mg/kg). The in vitro cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) assay examined AM5983 and the known CB1R agonist CP55,940. RESULTS Dose generalization ed50 values increased as a function of the training dose of AM5983, but more so for the partial agonists. The order of potency was (R)-isomer > (±)AM5983 > (S)-isomer and AM5983 > WIN55,212-2 ≥ THC > (R)-(+)-methanandamide. Surmountable antagonism of AM5983 and WIN55,212-2 occurred with rimonabant. The cAMP assay confirmed the cannabinergic nature of AM5983 and CP55,940. CONCLUSIONS Drug discrimination using different training doses of a high-efficacy, full CB1R agonist differentiated between low- and high-efficacy CB1R agonists.
Collapse
|
9
|
Järbe TUC, Gifford RS. "Herbal incense": designer drug blends as cannabimimetics and their assessment by drug discrimination and other in vivo bioassays. Life Sci 2013; 97:64-71. [PMID: 23891559 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2013.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2013] [Revised: 06/21/2013] [Accepted: 07/09/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Recently, synthetic cannabinoids originally designed for testing in the laboratory only have found use recreationally in designer herbal blends, originally called "Spice". The myriad of compounds found are for the most part potent full agonists of the cannabinoid receptor 1, producing effects similar to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and marijuana. Drug discrimination of these compounds offers a specific behavioral test that can help determine whether these new synthetic compounds share a similar "subjective high" with the effects of marijuana/THC. By utilization of drug discrimination and other behavioral techniques, a better understanding of these new "designer" cannabinoids may be reached to assist in treating both the acute and chronic effects of these drugs. The paper provides a brief exposé of modern cannabinoid research as a backdrop to the recreational use of designer herbal blend cannabimimetics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Torbjörn U C Järbe
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Roger S Gifford
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Wiebelhaus JM, Poklis JL, Poklis A, Vann RE, Lichtman AH, Wise LE. Inhalation exposure to smoke from synthetic "marijuana" produces potent cannabimimetic effects in mice. Drug Alcohol Depend 2012; 126:316-23. [PMID: 22776442 PMCID: PMC3501554 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.05.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2012] [Revised: 05/25/2012] [Accepted: 05/28/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Use of synthetic "marijuana" has increased in recent years, produced adverse effects and prompted the temporary DEA ban of five specific cannabinoid analogs, including JWH-018. The objectives of the current study include determining the chemical content of the herbal product, Buzz, assessing its behavioral effects upon inhalation exposure to mice, determining whether CB(1) receptors mediate its pharmacological activity, and ascertaining its biodisposition in blood and various organs. METHODS Using a nose-only exposure system, mice were exposed to smoke produced from combustion of an herbal incense product, Buzz, which contained 5.4% JWH-018. Cannabimimetic effects following smoke exposure were evaluated using the tetrad procedure, consisting of the following indices: hypomotility, antinociception, catalepsy, and hypothermia. Additionally, blood and tissues were collected for JWH-018 quantification. RESULTS Inhalation exposure to Buzz produced dose-related tetrad effects similar to marijuana as well as dose-related increased levels of JWH-018 in the blood, brain, heart, kidney, liver, lung, and spleen. The behavioral effects were blocked by rimonabant, a CB(1) receptor antagonist. Effects produced by Buzz were similar in magnitude and time-course to those produced by marijuana, though equipotent doses of Buzz and marijuana yielded considerably lower brain levels of JWH-018 than THC for the respective materials. CONCLUSIONS Inhalation exposure to a product containing JWH-018 penetrates into the brain and other organs and produces CB(1) receptor-mediated behavioral pharmacological effects in mice. The increased potency of JWH-018 compared to THC, the variable amount of drug added to various herbal products, and unknown toxicity, undoubtedly contribute to public health risks of synthetic cannabinoids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason M. Wiebelhaus
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Justin L. Poklis
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Alphonse Poklis
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
,Department of Forensic Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
,Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Robert E. Vann
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Aron H. Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
,Institute of Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Laura E. Wise
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Silvestri C, Di Marzo V. Second generation CB1 receptor blockers and other inhibitors of peripheral endocannabinoid overactivity and the rationale of their use against metabolic disorders. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2012; 21:1309-22. [DOI: 10.1517/13543784.2012.704019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cristoforo Silvestri
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry – CNR, Endocannabinoid Research Group,
Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078, Pozzuoli (NA), Italy ;
| | - Vincenzo Di Marzo
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry – CNR, Endocannabinoid Research Group,
Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078, Pozzuoli (NA), Italy ;
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Järbe TUC, Tai S, LeMay BJ, Nikas SP, Shukla VG, Zvonok A, Makriyannis A. AM2389, a high-affinity, in vivo potent CB1-receptor-selective cannabinergic ligand as evidenced by drug discrimination in rats and hypothermia testing in mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2012; 220:417-26. [PMID: 21989802 PMCID: PMC3291515 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-011-2491-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2011] [Accepted: 09/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The endocannabinoid signaling system (ECS) has been targeted for developing novel therapeutics since ECS dysfunction has been implicated in various pathologies. Current focus is on chemical modifications of the hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) nabilone (Cesamet(®)). OBJECTIVE To characterize the novel, high-affinity cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB(1)R) HHC-ligand AM2389 [9β-hydroxy-3-(1-hexyl-cyclobut-1-yl)-hexahydrocannabinol in two rodent pre-clinical assays. MATERIALS AND METHODS CB(1)R mediation of AM2389-induced hypothermia in mice was evaluated with AM251, a CB(1)R-selective antagonist/inverse agonist. Additionally, two groups of rats discriminated the full cannabinergic aminoalkylindole AM5983 (0.18 and 0.56 mg/kg) from vehicle 20 min post-injection in a two-choice operant conditioning task motivated by 0.1% saccharin/water. Generalization/substitution tests were conducted with AM2389, AM5983, and Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ(9)-THC). RESULTS Δ(9)-THC (30 mg/kg)-induced hypothermia exhibited a faster onset and shorter duration of action compared with AM2389 (0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg). AM251 (3 and 10 mg/kg) attenuated/blocked hypothermia induced by 0.3 mg/kg AM2389. In drug discrimination, the order of potency was AM2389 > AM5983 > Δ(9)-THC with ED(50) values of 0.0025, 0.0571, and 0.2635 mg/kg, respectively, in the low-dose condition. The corresponding ED(50) values in the high-dose condition were 0.0069, 0.1246, and 0.8438 mg/kg, respectively. Onset of the effects of AM2389 was slow with a protracted time-course; the functional, perceptual in vivo half-life was approximately 17 h. CONCLUSIONS This potent cannabinergic HHC exhibited a slow onset of action with a protracted time-course. The AM2389 chemotype appears well suited for further drug development, and AM2389 currently is used to probe behavioral consequences of sustained ECS activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Torbjörn U. C. Järbe
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, 116 Mugar Hall, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sherrica Tai
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, 116 Mugar Hall, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Brian J. LeMay
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, 116 Mugar Hall, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Spyros P. Nikas
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, 116 Mugar Hall, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Vidyanand G. Shukla
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, 116 Mugar Hall, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alexander Zvonok
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, 116 Mugar Hall, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alexandros Makriyannis
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, 116 Mugar Hall, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Janero DR, Lindsley L, Vemuri VK, Makriyannis A. Cannabinoid 1 G protein-coupled receptor (periphero-)neutral antagonists: emerging therapeutics for treating obesity-driven metabolic disease and reducing cardiovascular risk. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2011; 6:995-1025. [DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2011.608063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
|