Enantiomeric cannabidiol derivatives: synthesis and binding to cannabinoid receptors

Org Biomol Chem. 2005 Mar 21;3(6):1116-23. doi: 10.1039/b416943c. Epub 2005 Feb 16.

Abstract

(-)-Cannabidiol (CBD) is a major, non psychotropic constituent of cannabis. It has been shown to cause numerous physiological effects of therapeutic importance. We have reported that CBD derivatives in both enantiomeric series are of pharmaceutical interest. Here we describe the syntheses of the major CBD metabolites, (-)-7-hydroxy-CBD and (-)-CBD-7-oic acid and their dimethylheptyl (DMH) homologs, as well as of the corresponding compounds in the enantiomeric (+)-CBD series. The starting materials were the respective CBD enantiomers and their DMH homologs. The binding of these compounds to the CB(1) and CB(2) cannabinoid receptors are compared. Surprisingly, contrary to the compounds in the (-) series, which do not bind to the receptors, most of the derivatives in the (+) series bind to the CB(1) receptor in the low nanomole range. Some of these compounds also bind weakly to the CB(2) receptor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Cannabidiol* / chemical synthesis
  • Cannabidiol* / chemistry
  • Cannabidiol* / metabolism
  • Ligands
  • Male
  • Radioligand Assay
  • Rats
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / metabolism*
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / metabolism*
  • Synaptosomes / drug effects
  • Synaptosomes / metabolism

Substances

  • Cnr2 protein, rat
  • Ligands
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2
  • Cannabidiol