Pharmacological evaluation of new constituents of “Spice”: synthetic cannabinoids based on indole, indazole, benzimidazole and carbazole scaffolds

PURPOSE: In the present study we characterized a series of synthetic cannabinoids containing various heterocyclic scaffolds that had been identified as constituents of “Spice”, a preparation sold on the illicit drug market. All compounds were further investigated as potential ligands of the orphan receptors GPR18 and GPR55 that interact with some cannabinoids. METHODS: The compounds were studied in radioligand binding assays to determine their affinity for human cannabinoid CB(1) and CB(2) receptors expressed in CHO cells, and in cAMP accumulation assays to study their functionality. RESULTS: Structure-activity relationships were analyzed. The most potent CB(1) receptor agonist of the present series MDMB-FUBINACA (12) (K(i) = 98.5 pM) was docked into the human CB(1) receptor structure, and a plausible binding mode was identified showing high similarity with that of the co-crystallized THC derivatives. MDMB-CHMCZCA (41) displayed a unique profile acting as a full agonist at the CB(1) receptor subtype, but blocking the CB(2) receptor completely. Only a few weakly potent antagonists of GPR18 and GPR55 were identified, and thus all compounds showed high CB receptor selectivity, mostly interacting with both subtypes, CB(1) and CB(2). CONCLUSIONS: These results will be useful to assess the compounds’ toxicological risks and to guide legislation. Further studies on 41 are warranted. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s11419-018-0415-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.