Bornyl- and isobornyl-Delta8-tetrahydrocannabinols: a novel class of cannabinergic ligands

J Med Chem. 2008 Oct 23;51(20):6393-9. doi: 10.1021/jm8005299. Epub 2008 Oct 1.

Abstract

Structure-activity relationship studies of classical cannabinoid analogues have established that the C3 aliphatic side chain plays a pivotal role in determining cannabinergic potency. In earlier work, we provided evidence for the presence of subsites within the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptor binding domains that can accommodate bulky conformationally defined substituents at the C3 alkyl side chain pharmacophore of classical cannabinoids. We have now extended this work with the synthesis of a series of Delta (8)-THC analogues in which bornyl substituents are introduced at the C3 position. Our results indicate that, for optimal interactions with both CB1 and CB2 receptors, the bornyl substituents need to be within close proximity of the tricyclic core of Delta (8)-THC and that the conformational space occupied by the C3 substituents influences CB1/CB2 receptor subtype selectivity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Boron Compounds / chemical synthesis*
  • Boron Compounds / chemistry
  • Boron Compounds / classification
  • Cannabinoids / chemistry*
  • Dronabinol / chemical synthesis*
  • Dronabinol / chemistry
  • Dronabinol / classification
  • Ligands
  • Mice
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Rats
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid / chemistry
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid / metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Boron Compounds
  • Cannabinoids
  • Ligands
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid
  • Dronabinol