Alpha-methylated derivatives of 2-arachidonoyl glycerol: synthesis, CB1 receptor activity, and enzymatic stability

Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2006 May 1;16(9):2437-40. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2006.01.101. Epub 2006 Feb 8.

Abstract

Alpha-methylated analogues of the endogenous cannabinoid, 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG), were synthesized aiming to the improved enzymatic stability of 2-AG. In addition, the CB1 activity properties of fluoro derivatives of 2-AG were studied. The CB1 receptor activity was determined by the [35S]GTPgammaS binding assay, and the enzymatic stability of alpha-methylated analogues was determined in rat cerebellar membranes. The results indicate that even if the alpha-methylated 2-AG derivatives are slightly weaker CB1 receptor agonists than 2-AG, they are clearly more stable than 2-AG. In addition, the results showed that the replacement of the hydroxyl group(s) of 2-AG by fluorine does not improve the CB1 activity of 2-AG.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arachidonic Acids / chemical synthesis*
  • Arachidonic Acids / chemistry
  • Arachidonic Acids / pharmacology*
  • Cell Membrane / drug effects
  • Cell Membrane / enzymology
  • Cerebellum / drug effects
  • Cerebellum / enzymology
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Enzyme Stability* / drug effects
  • Glycerides / chemical synthesis*
  • Glycerides / chemistry
  • Glycerides / pharmacology*
  • Methylation
  • Molecular Structure
  • Rats
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / agonists*
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Arachidonic Acids
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Glycerides
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1
  • glyceryl 2-arachidonate