The drug abuse problem in general and the widespread use of marijuana in particular has focused attention on the chemistry and pharmacology of this plant (cannabis Sativa). Although rapid advances have been made in the chemistry and pharmacology of this class of compounds, the mechanisms involved in producing the various central nervous effects (CNS) have not been established. The long term goal of our synthetic program is to develop routes to the synthesis of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) analogs which will prove as useful tools in elucidating their mechanism of action.
Our specific aims are to synthesize a series of delta-8- and delta-9-THC analogs containing functionalized geminal methyl group, N-substituted 11-amino THC's and the three pairs of C-2', 3' and 4'-hydroxy-delta-9-THC's in their R and S forms. The synthesis of these analogs which include alkylating and non-alkylating agents, and their subsequent biological evaluation could provide us with new knowledge about Structure Activity Relationships (SAR) in cannabinoids; it could lead to the discovery of an antagonist which would help in the identification of cannabinoid receptors and thus, result in a rapid advance in this field. The discovery of an antagonist will also prove to be a valuable tool in assessing the dependence producing properties of delta-9-THC. The proposed study will give a deeper understanding, at least in part, of the mechanisms involved in the pharmacological action of these compounds and will help to combat the drug abuse problem which has had profound effects on our present day society.
| Compton, D R; Little, P J; Martin, B R et al. (1990) Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of amino, azido, and nitrogen mustard analogues of 10-substituted cannabidiol and 11- or 12-substituted delta 8-tetrahydrocannabinol. J Med Chem 33:1437-43 |
| Beardsley, P M; Scimeca, J A; Martin, B R (1987) Studies on the agonistic activity of delta 9-11-tetrahydrocannabinol in mice, dogs and rhesus monkeys and its interactions with delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 241:521-6 |
