Lumír O. Hanuš

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

In this study, we report the isolation from canine intestines of 2-arachidonyl glycerol (2-Ara-Gl). Its structure was determined by mass spectrometry and by direct comparison with a synthetic sample. 2-Ara-Gl bound to membranes from cells transiently transfected with expression plasmids carrying DNA of either CB1 or CB2--the two cannabinoid receptors identified thus far--with Ki values of 472 +/- 55 and 1400 +/- 172 nM, respectively. In the presence of forskolin, 2-Ara-Gl inhibited adenylate cyclase in isolated mouse spleen cells, at the potency level of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9-THC). Upon intravenous administration to mice, 2-Ara-Gl caused the typical tetrad of effects produced by THC: antinociception, immobility, reduction of spontaneous activity, and lowering of the rectal temperature. 2-Ara-Gl also shares the ability of delta 9-THC to inhibit electrically evoked contractions of mouse isolated vasa deferentia; however, it was less potent than delta 9-THC.

2-Arachidonyl glyceryl ether, an endogenous agonist of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor

Two types of endogenous cannabinoid-receptor agonists have been identified thus far. They are the ethanolamides of polyunsaturated fatty acids—arachidonoyl ethanolamide (anandamide) is the best known compound in the amide series—and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, the only known endocannabinoid in the ester series. We report now an example of a third, ether-type endocannabinoid, 2-arachidonyl glyceryl ether (noladin ether), isolated from porcine brain. The structure of noladin ether was determined by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and was confirmed by comparison with a synthetic sample. It binds to the CB1 cannabinoid receptor (Ki = 21.2 ± 0.5 nM) and causes sedation, hypothermia, intestinal immobility, and mild antinociception in mice. It binds weakly to the CB2 receptor (Ki > 3 μM).

An endogenous cannabinoid (2-AG) is neuroprotective after brain injury

Traumatic brain injury triggers the accumulation of harmful mediators that may lead to secondary damage. Protective mechanisms to attenuate damage are also set in motion. 2-Arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) is an endogenous cannabinoid, identified both in the periphery and in the brain, but its physiological roles have been only partially clarified. Here we show that, after injury to the mouse brain, 2-AG may have a neuroprotective role in which the cannabinoid system is involved. After closed head injury (CHI) in mice, the level of endogenous 2-AG was significantly elevated. We administered synthetic 2-AG to mice after CHI and found significant reduction of brain oedema, better clinical recovery, reduced infarct volume and reduced hippocampal cell death compared with controls. When 2-AG was administered together with additional inactive 2-acyl-glycerols that are normally present in the brain, functional recovery was significantly enhanced. The beneficial effect of 2-AG was dose-dependently attenuated by SR-141761A, an antagonist of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor.

Molecular targets for cannabidiol and its synthetic analogues: effect on vanilloid VR1 receptors and on the cellular uptake and enzymatic hydrolysis of anandamide

(−)‐Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non‐psychotropic component of Cannabis with possible therapeutic use as an anti‐inflammatory drug. Little is known on the possible molecular targets of this compound. We investigated whether CBD and some of its derivatives interact with vanilloid receptor type 1 (VR1), the receptor for capsaicin, or with proteins that inactivate the endogenous cannabinoid, anandamide (AEA). CBD and its enantiomer, (+)‐CBD, together with seven analogues, obtained by exchanging the C‐7 methyl group of CBD with a hydroxy‐methyl or a carboxyl function and/or the C‐5′ pentyl group with a di‐methyl‐heptyl (DMH) group, were tested on: (a) VR1‐mediated increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations in cells over‐expressing human VR1; (b) [14C]‐AEA uptake by RBL‐2H3 cells, which is facilitated by a selective membrane transporter; and (c) [14C]‐AEA hydrolysis by rat brain membranes, which is catalysed by the fatty acid amide hydrolase. Both CBD and (+)‐CBD, but not the other analogues, stimulated VR1 with EC50=3.2 – 3.5 μM, and with a maximal effect similar in efficacy to that of capsaicin, i.e. 67 – 70% of the effect obtained with ionomycin (4 μM). CBD (10 μM) desensitized VR1 to the action of capsaicin. The effects of maximal doses of the two compounds were not additive. (+)‐5′‐DMH‐CBD and (+)‐7‐hydroxy‐5′‐DMH‐CBD inhibited [14C]‐AEA uptake (IC50=10.0 and 7.0 μM); the (−)‐enantiomers were slightly less active (IC50=14.0 and 12.5 μM). CBD and (+)‐CBD were also active (IC50=22.0 and 17.0 μM). CBD (IC50=27.5 μM), (+)‐CBD (IC50=63.5 μM) and (−)‐7‐hydroxy‐CBD (IC50=34 μM), but not the other analogues (IC50>100 μM), weakly inhibited [14C]‐AEA hydrolysis. Only the (+)‐isomers exhibited high affinity for CB1 and/or CB2 cannabinoid receptors. These findings suggest that VR1 receptors, or increased levels of endogenous AEA, might mediate some of the pharmacological effects of CBD and its analogues. In view of the facile high yield synthesis, and the weak affinity for CB1 and CB2 receptors, (−)‐5′‐DMH‐CBD represents a valuable candidate for further investigation as inhibitor of AEA uptake and a possible new therapeutic agent.

A historical overview of chemical research on cannabinoids

The chemical research on the plant cannabinoids and their derivatives over two centuries is concisely reviewed. The tortuous path leading to the discovery of the endogenous cannabinoids is described. Future directions, which will probably be followed are delineated.

Cannabidiol: an overview of some chemical and pharmacological aspects. Part I: chemical aspects

Over the last few years considerable attention has focused on cannabidiol (CBD), a major non-psychotropic constituent of Cannabis. In Part I of this review we present a condensed survey of the chemistry of CBD; in Part II, to be published later, we shall discuss the anti-convulsive, anti-anxiety, anti-psychotic, anti-nausea and anti-rheumatoid arthritic properties of CBD. CBD does not bind to the known cannabinoid receptors and its mechanism of action is yet unknown. In Part II we shall also present evidence that it is conceivable that, in part at least, its effects are due to its recently discovered inhibition of anandamide uptake and hydrolysis and to its anti-oxidative effect.

Short-term fasting and prolonged semistarvation have opposite effects on 2-AG levels in mouse brain

2-Arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) levels in whole mouse brain and two of its regions-hippocampus and hypothalamus-were determined after diet restriction (between 60 and 40%) lasting 12 days. The diet restriction lowered the level of 2-AG, which in the hypothalamus depended on the severity of the diet restriction, while the level in the hippocampus was not dependent on the diet regimen. As these observations differ from previously published data showing elevation of 2-AG levels in rat brain after 24 h of severe food restriction, we measured 2-AG levels in whole mouse brain after a comparable period of full starvation (fasting). We confirmed the elevation of 2-AG levels. It seems possible that these time-dependent variations of 2-AG levels may be of importance as a general coping strategy by animals during periods of starvation.

Early phytocannabinoid chemistry to endocannabinoids and beyond

Isolation and structure elucidation of most of the major cannabinoid constituents — including Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), which is the principal psychoactive molecule in Cannabis sativa — was achieved in the 1960s and 1970s. It was followed by the identification of two cannabinoid receptors in the 1980s and the early 1990s and by the identification of the endocannabinoids shortly thereafter. There have since been considerable advances in our understanding of the endocannabinoid system and its function in the brain, which reveal potential therapeutic targets for a wide range of brain disorders.

Cannabinomimetic behavioral effects of and adenylate cyclase inhibition by two new endogenous anandamides

We have previously shown that the endogenous putative cannabinoid ligand arachidonylethanolamide (anandamide, 20:4, n - 6) induces in vivo and in vitro effects typical of a cannabinoid agonist. We now report that two other endogenous anandamides, docosatetraenylethanolamide (anandamide, 22:4, n - 6) and homo-gamma-linolenylethanolamide (anandamide, 20:3, n - 6), have similar activities. The new anandamides bind to SV40-transformed African green monkey kidney cells transfected with the rat brain cannabinoid receptor cDNA and display K1 values of 253.4 +/- 41.1 and 244.8 +/- 38.7, respectively. The value found for arachidonylethanolamide was 155.1 +/- 13.8 nM. In addition, the new anandamides inhibit prostaglandin E1-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in Chinese hamster ovary-K1 cells transfected with the cannabinoid receptor, as well as in N18TG2 mouse neuroblastoma cells that express the cannabinoid receptor naturally. The IC50 values for the inhibition of adenylate cyclase in transfected Chinese hamster ovary-K1 cells were 116.8 +/- 8.7 and 109.3 +/- 8.6 nM for docosatetraenylethanolamide and homo-gamma-linolenylethanolamide, respectively. These values were similar to that obtained with arachidonylethanolamide (100.5 +/- 7.7 nM), but were significantly higher than the IC50 value observed with the plant cannabinoid delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (9.2 +/- 8.6 nM). The inhibitory effects of the anandamides on adenylate cyclase activity were blocked by pertussis toxin, indicating the involvement of pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding protein(s). In a tetrad of behavioral assays for cannabinoid-like effects, the two new anandamides exerted similar behavioral effects to those observed with delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol and arachidonylethanolamide: inhibition of motor activity in an open field, hypothermia, catalepsy on a ring, and analgesia on a hot plate.

Cyclobutane-Containing Alkaloids: Origin, Synthesis, and Biological Activities

Present review describes research on novel natural cyclobutane-containing alkaloids isolated from terrestrial and marine species. More than 60 biological active compounds have been confirmed to have antimicrobial, antibacterial, antitumor, and other activities. The structures, synthesis, origins, and biological activities of a selection of cyclobutane-containing alkaloids are reviewed. With the computer program PASS some additional biological activities are also predicted, which point toward new possible applications of these compounds. This review emphasizes the role of cyclobutane-containing alkaloids as an important source of leads for drug discovery.