A submicron emulsion of HU-211, a synthetic cannabinoid, reduces intraocular pressure in rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
To study the ocular hypotensive effect of a nonpsychotropic cannabinoid, HU-211 (11 -hydroxy-delta8-tetra-hydrocannabinol, dimethylheptyl), an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) agonist, in normotensive rabbits.


METHODS
The cannabinoid HU-211, being lipophilic, was incorporated into a stable oil-in-water submicron sterile emulsion, consisting of 0.12% (w/w) HU-211. A single- dose, randomized and double-masked study was designed, using a Digilab 30R pneumotonometer to measure intraocular pressure (IOP) in normotensive rabbits.


RESULTS
Application of a single dose of HU-211 ophthalmic preparation resulted in an IOP reduction of 5.3 mmHg (24% of baseline), first evident at 1.5 h post application and persisting for over 6 h. A small but significant lowering of pressure (12.5% of baseline) occurred in the contralateral eyes of HU-211 treated rabbits, lasting for 4 h post treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Our work demonstrated that HU-211, incorporated into submicron emulsion, caused a 6-h-long reduction in IOP in the treated eye, with a lesser reduction in the contralateral untreated eye.
Naveh
N
N
Glaucoma and Pharmacology Laboratory, Goldschleger Eye Research Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
Weissman
C
C
Muchtar
S
S
Benita
S
S
Mechoulam
R
R
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003315:Cornea / Q000378:metabolism; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004655:Emulsions; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular
D002186:Cannabinoids; D004655:Emulsions; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D013759:Dronabinol; C062018:HU 211