Most cannabinoid 1 receptor (CBR) agonists will signal through both G protein-dependent and -independent pathways in an unbiased manner. Recruitment of -arrestin 2 desensitizes and internalizes receptors, producing tolerance that limits therapeutic utility of cannabinoids for chronic conditions. We developed the indole quinuclidinone (IQD) analog (Z)-2-((1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-1H-indol-3-yl)methylene)quinuclidin-3-one (PNR-4-20) as a novel G protein-biased agonist at CBRs, and the present studies determine if repeated administration of PNR-4-20 produces lesser tolerance to in vivo effects compared with unbiased CBR agonists Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-THC) and 1-pentyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole (JWH-018).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFConvulsant effects of abused synthetic cannabinoid (SCB) drugs have been reported in humans and laboratory animals, but the mechanism of these effects is not known. We compared convulsant effects of partial CB1R agonist ∆-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), full CB1R agonist SCBs JWH-018 and 5F-AB-PINACA, and classic chemical convulsant pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) using an observational rating scale in mice. THC did not elicit convulsions, but both SCBs did so as effectively as and more potently than PTZ.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Cannabinoids may be useful in the treatment of CNS disorders including drug abuse and addiction, where both CB1R antagonists / inverse agonists and CB2R agonists have shown preclinical efficacy. TV-5-249 and TV-6-41, two novel aminoalkylindoles with dual action as neutral CB1R antagonists and CB2R agonists, previously attenuated abuse-related effects of ethanol in mice.
Purpose: To further characterize these drugs, TV-5-249 and TV-6-41 were compared with the CB1R antagonist / inverse agonist rimonabant in assays relevant to adverse effects and cannabinoid withdrawal.
Regulators of G-protein signaling (RGS) proteins negatively modulate presynaptic μ-opioid receptor inhibition of GABA release in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG). Paradoxically, we find that G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) activation of G-protein-gated inwardly rectifying K channels (GIRKs) in the vlPAG is reduced in an agonist- and receptor-dependent manner in transgenic knock-in mice of either sex expressing mutant RGS-insensitive Gαo proteins. μ-Opioid receptor agonist activation of GIRK currents was reduced for DAMGO and fentanyl but not for [Met]-enkephalin acetate salt hydrate (ME) in the RGS-insensitive heterozygous (Het) mice compared with wild-type mice.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe human cannabinoid subtype 1 receptor (hCBR) is highly expressed in the CNS and serves as a therapeutic target for endogenous ligands as well as plant-derived and synthetic cannabinoids. Unfortunately, acute use of hCBR agonists produces unwanted psychotropic effects and chronic administration results in development of tolerance and dependence, limiting the potential clinical use of these ligands. Studies in β-arrestin knockout mice suggest that interaction of certain GPCRs, including μ-, δ-, κ-opioid and hCBRs, with β-arrestins might be responsible for several adverse effects produced by agonists acting at these receptors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn the early 2000s in Europe and shortly thereafter in the USA, it was reported that 'legal' forms of marijuana were being sold under the name K2 and/or Spice. Active ingredients in K2/Spice products were determined to be synthetic cannabinoids (SCBs), producing psychotropic actions via CB cannabinoid receptors, similar to those of Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-THC), the primary active constituent in marijuana. Often abused by adolescents and military personnel to elude detection in drug tests due to their lack of structural similarity to Δ-THC, SCBs are falsely marketed as safe marijuana substitutes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCurr Top Behav Neurosci
July 2017
Commercial preparations containing synthetic cannabinoids (SCBs) are rapidly emerging as drugs of abuse. Although often assumed to be "safe" and "legal" alternatives to cannabis, reports indicate that SCBs induce toxicity not often associated with the primary psychoactive component of marijuana, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-THC). This chapter will summarize the evidence that use of SCBs poses greater health risks relative to marijuana and suggest that distinct pharmacological properties and metabolism of SCBs relative to Δ-THC may contribute to this increased toxicity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPsychopharmacology (Berl)
August 2015
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.
Cannabis has been used throughout the world for centuries. The psychoactive effects of cannabis are largely attributable to Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-THC), the prototypical cannabinoid that occurs naturally in the plant. More recently, chemically- and pharmacologically-distinct synthetic cannabinoids (SCBs) have emerged as drugs of abuse.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRationale: 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.