Synthesis, cannabinoid receptor activity, and enzymatic stability of reversed amide derivatives of arachidonoyl ethanolamide

Bioorg Med Chem. 2006 Aug 1;14(15):5252-8. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2006.03.051. Epub 2006 Apr 27.

Abstract

Retroanandamide (2f) and its 10 analogues (1a-e, 2a-e) were synthesized and evaluated for the cannabinoid receptor activation by a [35S]GTPgammaS binding assay using rat cerebellar membranes, and Chinese hamster ovary cell membranes expressing human CB2 receptors. The primary goal of the study was to develop cannabinoid receptor agonists having improved enzymatic stability compared to endogenous N-arachidonoyl ethanolamide (AEA). Furthermore, by reversing the amide bond of AEA, the formation of arachidonic acid would be prevented. Finally, an effect of the carbonyl carbon position on the cannabinoid receptor activity was explored by synthesizing retroanandamide analogues having different chain lengths (1a-e, C19; 2a-f, C20). All the synthesized compounds, except 2c, behaved as partial agonists for the both cannabinoid receptors. In rat brain homogenate, the reversed amides possessed significantly higher stability against FAAH induced degradation than AEA. Therefore, the reversed amide analogues of AEA may serve as enzymatically stable structural basis for the drug design based on the endogenous cannabinoids.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amides / chemistry*
  • Amidohydrolases / drug effects*
  • Animals
  • Arachidonic Acids / chemical synthesis*
  • Arachidonic Acids / chemistry
  • Arachidonic Acids / pharmacology*
  • Binding Sites
  • CHO Cells
  • Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists
  • Cell Membrane / drug effects
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cricetinae
  • Drug Stability
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate) / chemistry
  • Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate) / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Polyunsaturated Alkamides
  • Radioligand Assay
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid / drug effects*
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid / metabolism*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Sulfur Radioisotopes

Substances

  • Amides
  • Arachidonic Acids
  • Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Polyunsaturated Alkamides
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid
  • Sulfur Radioisotopes
  • Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate)
  • Amidohydrolases
  • fatty-acid amide hydrolase
  • anandamide