Rimonabant: just an antiobesity drug? Current evidence on its pleiotropic effects.
The advent of the highly selective cannabinoid receptor (CB1) antagonist, rimonabant (SR141716; Acomplia) can revolutionize the ability of the clinicians to manage obesity. Large-scale clinical trials have demonstrated that rimonabant therapy can reduce obesity. Although, the precise mechanisms of action of rimonabant have to be further dissected, it is emerging, from both preclinical and clinical research, that not only is rimonabant an antiobesity drug, but also its pleiotropic functions affect a broad range of diseases, from obesity-related comorbidities to drug dependence and cancer. Here we review recent data from the literature and discuss the full pharmacological potential of this drug.
Bifulco
Maurizio
M
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy. maubiful@unisa.It
Grimaldi
Claudia
C
Gazzerro
Patrizia
P
Pisanti
Simona
S
Santoro
Antonietta
A
D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010880:Piperidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000077285:Rimonabant; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000209:etiology
D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D010880:Piperidines; D011720:Pyrazoles; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; D000077285:Rimonabant