In vitro and in vivo characterization of A‐796260: a selective cannabinoid CB2 receptor agonist exhibiting analgesic activity in rodent pain models

Background and purpose: Selective cannabinoid CB2 receptor agonists have demonstrated analgesic activity across multiple preclinical pain models. AM1241 is an indole derivative that exhibits high affinity and selectivity for the CB2 binding site and broad spectrum analgesic activity in rodent models...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of pharmacology 2008-01, Vol.153 (2), p.390-401
Main Authors: Yao, B B, Hsieh, G C, Frost, J M, Fan, Y, Garrison, T R, Daza, A V, Grayson, G K, Zhu, C Z, Pai, M, Chandran, P, Salyers, A K, Wensink, E J, Honore, P, Sullivan, J P, Dart, M J, Meyer, M D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analgesics, Non-Narcotic - pharmacology
Analgesics, Non-Narcotic - therapeutic use
Animals
Arthritis, Experimental - drug therapy
Arthritis, Experimental - pathology
A‐796260
cannabinoid
CB2
Cells, Cultured
Constriction, Pathologic - complications
Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases - metabolism
Cyclohexanols - pharmacology
Cyclopropanes - pharmacology
Cyclopropanes - therapeutic use
Humans
Hyperalgesia - drug therapy
Hyperalgesia - pathology
Immunosuppressive Agents - pharmacology
inflammatory pain
Joints - pathology
Male
Microscopy, Fluorescence
Morpholines - pharmacology
Morpholines - therapeutic use
Motor Activity - drug effects
neuropathic pain
Pain - drug therapy
Radioligand Assay
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 - agonists
Research Papers
Sciatica - drug therapy
Sciatica - etiology
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Summary:Background and purpose: Selective cannabinoid CB2 receptor agonists have demonstrated analgesic activity across multiple preclinical pain models. AM1241 is an indole derivative that exhibits high affinity and selectivity for the CB2 binding site and broad spectrum analgesic activity in rodent models, but is not an antagonist of CB2 in vitro functional assays. Additionally, its analgesic effects are μ‐opioid receptor‐dependent. Herein, we describe the in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties of A‐796260, a novel CB2 agonist. Experimental approach: A‐796260 was characterized in radioligand binding and in vitro functional assays at rat and human CB1 and CB2 receptors. The behavioural profile of A‐796260 was assessed in models of inflammatory, post‐operative, neuropathic, and osteoarthritic (OA) pain, as well as its effects on motor activity. The receptor specificity was confirmed using selective CB1, CB2 and μ‐opioid receptor antagonists. Key results: A‐796260 exhibited high affinity and agonist efficacy at human and rat CB2 receptors, and was selective for the CB2 vs CB1 subtype. Efficacy in models of inflammatory, post‐operative, neuropathic and OA pain was demonstrated, and these activities were selectively blocked by CB2, but not CB1 or μ‐opioid receptor‐selective antagonists. Efficacy was achieved at doses that had no significant effects on motor activity. Conclusions and implications: These results further confirm the therapeutic potential of CB2 receptor‐selective agonists for the treatment of pain. In addition, they demonstrate that A‐796260 may be a useful new pharmacological compound for further studying CB2 receptor pharmacology and for evaluating its role in the modulation of pain. British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 153, 390–401; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707568; published online 12 November 2007
ISSN:0007-1188
1476-5381
DOI:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707568