Arachidonylethanolamide, an arachidonic acid derivative in porcine brain, was identified in a screen for endogenous ligands for the cannabinoid receptor. The structure of this compound, which has been named "anandamide," was determined by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and was confirmed by synthesis. Anandamide inhibited the specific binding of a radiolabeled cannabinoid probe to synaptosomal membranes in a manner typical of competitive ligands and produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of the electrically evoked twitch response to the mouse vas deferens, a characteristic effect of psychotropic cannabinoids. These properties suggest that anandamide may function as a natural ligand for the cannabinoid receptor.

https://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/258/5090/1946.full.pdf

Isolation and structure of a brain constituent that binds to the cannabinoid receptor

Marijuana and many of its constituent cannabinoids influence the central nervous system (CNS) in a complex and dose-dependent manner. Although CNS depression and analgesia are well documented effects of the cannabinoids, the mechanisms responsible for these and other cannabinoid-induced effects are not so far known. The hydrophobic nature of these substances has suggested that cannabinoids resemble anaesthetic agents in their action, that is, they nonspecifically disrupt cellular membranes. Recent evidence, however, has supported a mechanism involving a G protein-coupled receptor found in brain and neural cell lines, and which inhibits adenylate cyclase activity in a dose-dependent, stereoselective and pertussis toxin-sensitive manner. Also, the receptor is more responsive to psychoactive cannabinoids than to non-psychoactive cannabinoids. Here we report the cloning and expression of a complementary DNA that encodes a G protein-coupled receptor with all of these properties. Its messenger RNA is found in cell lines and regions of the brain that have cannabinoid receptors. These findings suggest that this protein is involved in cannabinoid-induced CNS effects (including alterations in mood and cognition) experienced by users of marijuana.

Structure of a cannabinoid receptor and functional expression of the cloned cDNA

THE major active ingredient of marijuana, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabi-nol (Δ9-THC), has been used as a psychoactive agent for thousands of years. Marijuana, and Δ9-THC, also exert a wide range of other effects including analgesia, anti-inflammation, immunosuppression, anticonvulsion, alleviation of intraocular pressure in glaucoma, and attenuation of vomiting1. The clinical application of cannabinoids has, however, been limited by their psychoactive effects, and this has led to interest in the biochemical bases of their action. Progress stemmed initially from the synthesis of potent derivatives of δ9-THC4,5, and more recently from the cloning of a gene encoding a G-protein-coupled receptor for cannabinoids6. This receptor is expressed in the brain but not in the periphery, except for a low level in testes. It has been proposed that the non-psychoactive effects of cannabinoids are either mediated centrally or through direct interaction with other, non-receptor proteins1,7,8. Here we report the cloning of a receptor for cannabinoids that is not expressed in the brain but rather in macrophages in the marginal zone of spleen.

Molecular characterization of a peripheral receptor for cannabinoids

Identification of an endogenous 2-monoglyceride, present in canine gut, that binds to cannabinoid receptors.

Drug addiction, dysregulation of reward, and allostasis.

Substituted tetralins, chromans and related compounds which, by inhibiting 5-lipoxygenase enzyme and/or blocking leukotriene receptors, are useful in the prevention or treatment of asthma, arthritis, psoriasis, ulcers, myocardial infarction and related disease states in mammals, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, a method of treatment therewith, and to intermediates useful in the synthesis thereof.

Substituted tetralins, chromans and related compounds in the treatment and related compounds in the treatment of asthma, arthritis and related diseases

Structural studies leading to the discovery of a cannabinoid binding site.

Tricyclic benzo fused compounds of the formula ##STR1## and pharmaceutically acceptable cationic and acid addition salts thereof, wherein n is zero, 1 or 2, and t is 1 or 2; M is CH or N, R1 is H or certain acyl groups; Q is CO2 R4, COR5, C(OR7)R5 R6, CN, CONR9 R10, CH2 NR9 R10, CH2 NHCOR11, CH2 NHSO2 R12, 5-tetrazolyl or when n is 1, Q and OR1 together form a lactone or certain reduced derivatives thereof; and Z is certain alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aralkyl, aralkoxy, aryloxyalkyl or aralkoxyalkyl groups, are valuable central nervous system active agents, methods for their use, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and certain intermediates therefor.

Substituted hexahydrobenzo[e]indene and octahydrophenanthrene CNS agents and pharmaceutical compositions thereof

9-Hydroxyhexahydrodibenzo[b,d]pyrans, 1-substituted-9-hydroxyhexahydrodibenzo[b,d]pyrans wherein the substituent is hydrogen, methyl, hydroxymethyl, formyl, carboxy, carbamyl, amino, mono- and di-alkylamino, alkanoylamino, phenalkylsulfonamido or alkylsulfonamido, and the corresponding 9-ketones, all of which are useful as CNS agents, especially as analgesics and tranquilizers, intermediates therefor the processes for their preparation.

9-Hydroxyhexahydrodibenzo[O,d]pyrans, 1-substituted-9-hydroxyhexahydrodibenzo[b,d]pyrans and intermediates therefor

Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is an optionally substituted heteroaryl group such as 2-chromanyl, 2-pyridyl or 5-fluoro-2-benzothiazoyl; X is O, S or (CH2)m ; R1 is phenyl or pyridyl, optionally substituted by one or more (C1 -C3)alkyl, (C1 -C3)alkoxy, carboxy or (C1 -C3)alkoxy!carbonyl groups; n is 0, 1 or 2; m is 1 or 2; Y and Y1 are taken together and are oxygen, or Y and Y1 are taken separately, Y is hydrogen and Y1 is hydroxy or an in vivo hydrolyzable acyloxy group; Z is CH2, NR2, O or S; and R2 is hydrogen or (C1 -C3)alkyl; are useful in the treatment of asthma, arthritis and related diseases mediated by leukotrienes.

Lawrence S. Melvin

Papers

Substituted tetralins, chromans and related compounds in the treatment and related compounds in the treatment of asthma, arthritis and related diseases

Structural studies leading to the discovery of a cannabinoid binding site.

Substituted hexahydrobenzo[e]indene and octahydrophenanthrene CNS agents and pharmaceutical compositions thereof

9-Hydroxyhexahydrodibenzo[O,d]pyrans, 1-substituted-9-hydroxyhexahydrodibenzo[b,d]pyrans and intermediates therefor

Tetralin and chroman derivatives useful in the treatment of asthma, arthritis and related diseases