New resorcinol-anandamide "hybrids" as potent cannabinoid receptor ligands endowed with antinociceptive activity in vivo.
Bearing in mind the pharmacophoric requirements of both (-)-trans-Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and anandamide (AEA), we designed a novel pharmacophore consisting of both a rigid aromatic backbone and a flexible chain with the aim to develop a series of stable and potent ligands of cannabinoid receptors. In this paper we report the synthesis, docking studies, and structure-activity relationships of new resorcinol-anandamide "hybrids" differing in the side chain group. Compounds bearing a 2-methyloctan-2-yl group at position 5 showed a significantly higher affinity for cannabinoid (CB) receptors, in particular when an alkyloxy chain of 7 or 10 carbon atoms was also present at position 1. Derivative 32 was a potent CB(1) and CB(2) ligand, with K(i) values similar to that of WIN 55-212 and potent antinociceptive activity in vivo. Moreover, derivative 38, although less potent, proved to be the most selective ligand for CB(2) receptor (K(i)(CB(1)) = 1 muM, K(i)(CB(2)) = 35 nM).
Brizzi
Antonella
A
Dipartimento Farmaco Chimico Tecnologico, Universita degli Studi di Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy. brizzi3@unisi.it
Brizzi
Vittorio
V
Cascio
Maria Grazia
MG
Corelli
Federico
F
Guida
Francesca
F
Ligresti
Alessia
A
Maione
Sabatino
S
Martinelli
Adriano
A
Pasquini
Serena
S
Tuccinardi
Tiziano
T
Di Marzo
Vincenzo
V