Probing the Carboxyester Side Chain in Controlled Deactivation (−)‑Δ8‑Tetrahydrocannabinols

We recently reported on a controlled deactivation/detoxification approach for obtaining cannabinoids with improved druggability. Our design incorporates a metabolically labile ester group at strategic positions within the THC structure. We have now synthesized a series of (−)-Δ8-THC analogues encomp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of medicinal chemistry Vol. 58; no. 2; pp. 665 - 681
Main Authors: Nikas, Spyros P, Sharma, Rishi, Paronis, Carol A, Kulkarni, Shashank, Thakur, Ganesh A, Hurst, Dow, Wood, JodiAnne T, Gifford, Roger S, Rajarshi, Girija, Liu, Yingpeng, Raghav, Jimit Girish, Guo, Jason Jianxin, Järbe, Torbjörn U.C, Reggio, Patricia H, Bergman, Jack, Makriyannis, Alexandros
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: American Chemical Society 22.01.2015
ISSN:0022-2623, 1520-4804
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:We recently reported on a controlled deactivation/detoxification approach for obtaining cannabinoids with improved druggability. Our design incorporates a metabolically labile ester group at strategic positions within the THC structure. We have now synthesized a series of (−)-Δ8-THC analogues encompassing a carboxyester group within the 3-alkyl chain in an effort to explore this novel cannabinergic chemotype for CB receptor binding affinity, in vitro and in vivo potency and efficacy, as well as controlled deactivation by plasma esterases. We have also probed the chain’s polar characteristics with regard to fast onset and short duration of action. Our lead molecule, namely 2-[(6aR,10aR)-6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydro-1-hydroxy-6,6,9-trimethyl-6H-dibenzo­[b,d]­pyran-3-yl]-2-methyl-propanoic acid 3-cyano-propyl ester (AM7438), showed picomolar affinity for CB receptors and is deactivated by plasma esterases while the respective acid metabolite is inactive. In further in vitro and in vivo experiments, the compound was found to be a remarkably potent and efficacious CB1 receptor agonist with relatively fast onset/offset of action.
ISSN:0022-2623
1520-4804
DOI:10.1021/jm501165d