The Chemistry and Pharmacology of Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists as New Psychoactive Substances: Origins. 2018

Samuel D Banister, and Mark Connor
Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA. samuel.banister@sydney.edu.au.

Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) have proliferated as new psychoactive substances (NPS) over the past decade. Relative to other classes of NPS, SCRAs are structurally heterogeneous; however, most SCRAs act as potent, high-efficacy agonists of cannabinoid type 1 and type 2 receptors (CB1 and CB2, respectively). Characterization of the pharmacology and toxicology of these substances is hindered by the dynamic nature of the SCRA marketplace. Beyond basic pharmacological profiling at CB1 and CB2 receptors, very little is known about the acute or chronic effects of SCRAs. Many of the effects of SCRAs are qualitatively similar to those of the Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) found in cannabis. However, unlike Δ9-THC, SCRAs are frequently associated with serious adverse effects, including cardiotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and death. This chapter will provide an overview of the structure and function of the primary target for SCRAs, the CB1 receptor, and survey the structure-activity relationships of the historical SCRAs that served as templates for the earliest generations of NPS.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D011619 Psychotropic Drugs A loosely defined grouping of drugs that have effects on psychological function. Here the psychotropic agents include the antidepressive agents, hallucinogens, and tranquilizing agents (including the antipsychotics and anti-anxiety agents). Psychoactive Agent,Psychoactive Agents,Psychoactive Drug,Psychopharmaceutical,Psychopharmaceuticals,Psychotropic Drug,Psychoactive Drugs,Agent, Psychoactive,Agents, Psychoactive,Drug, Psychoactive,Drug, Psychotropic,Drugs, Psychoactive,Drugs, Psychotropic
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013329 Structure-Activity Relationship The relationship between the chemical structure of a compound and its biological or pharmacological activity. Compounds are often classed together because they have structural characteristics in common including shape, size, stereochemical arrangement, and distribution of functional groups. Relationship, Structure-Activity,Relationships, Structure-Activity,Structure Activity Relationship,Structure-Activity Relationships
D013759 Dronabinol A psychoactive compound extracted from the resin of Cannabis sativa (marihuana, hashish). The isomer delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is considered the most active form, producing characteristic mood and perceptual changes associated with this compound. THC,Tetrahydrocannabinol,delta(9)-THC,9-ene-Tetrahydrocannabinol,Marinol,Tetrahydrocannabinol, (6a-trans)-Isomer,Tetrahydrocannabinol, (6aR-cis)-Isomer,Tetrahydrocannabinol, (6aS-cis)-Isomer,Tetrahydrocannabinol, Trans-(+-)-Isomer,Tetrahydrocannabinol, Trans-Isomer,delta(1)-THC,delta(1)-Tetrahydrocannabinol,delta(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol,9 ene Tetrahydrocannabinol,Tetrahydrocannabinol, Trans Isomer
D043884 Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 A subclass of cannabinoid receptor found primarily on central and peripheral NEURONS where it may play a role modulating NEUROTRANSMITTER release. Cannabinoid Receptor CB1,CB1 Receptor,Receptor CB1, Cannabinoid,Receptor, CB1
D043885 Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 A subclass of cannabinoid receptor found primarily on immune cells where it may play a role modulating release of CYTOKINES. Cannabinoid Receptor CB2,CB2 Receptor,CB2, Cannabinoid Receptor,Receptor CB2, Cannabinoid,Receptor, CB2
D063386 Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists Compounds that interact with and stimulate the activity of CANNABINOID RECEPTORS. Cannabinoid Agonist,Cannabinoid Receptor Agonist,Cannabinoid Agonists,Cannabinoid Receptor Activators,Activators, Cannabinoid Receptor,Agonist, Cannabinoid,Agonist, Cannabinoid Receptor,Agonists, Cannabinoid,Agonists, Cannabinoid Receptor,Receptor Activators, Cannabinoid,Receptor Agonist, Cannabinoid,Receptor Agonists, Cannabinoid

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