Home
Resources
Publications
Evaluation of the Abuse Potential of AM281, a New Synthetic Cannabinoid CB1 Receptor Antagonist

Evaluation of the Abuse Potential of AM281, a New Synthetic Cannabinoid CB1 Receptor Antagonist

Chrislean Jun Botanas, June Bryan de la Peña, Irene Joy Dela Pena, Reinholdgher Tampus, Hee Jin Kim, Seong Shoon Yoon, Joung-Wook Seo, Eun Ju Jeong, Jae Hoon Cheong

Eur J Pharmacol. 2015 Nov 5;766:135-41.

PMID: 26450088

Abstract:

AM281 (1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-(4-iodophenyl)-4-methyl-N-4-morpholinyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide) is a new synthetic cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist. Similar to other cannabinoid antagonists, AM281 has been suggested to have therapeutic indications. However, recent reports have suggested that cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonists may share similar behavioral effects with other drugs of abuse such as cocaine and amphetamine. These reports cast doubts on the safety profile of AM281. Thus, in the present study we evaluated the abuse potential (rewarding and reinforcing effects) of AM281 through two of the most widely used animal models for assessing the abuse potential of drugs: the conditioned place preference (CPP) and self-administration (SA) tests. Experiments were performed in Sprague-Dawley rats in various dosages [CPP (0.1, 0.5 or 2.5mg/kg), SA (0.005, 0.025 or 0.1mg/kg/infusion)]. We also delved into the consequences of repeated drug exposure on the subsequent response to the drug. Thus, parallel experiments were carried out in rats pretreated with AM281 for 7 or 14 days. Our findings indicated that AM281, at any dose, did not induce CPP and SA in drug-naïve rats. Interestingly, significant CPP (0.5mg/kg of AM281), but not SA, was observed in 14 days pretreated rats. These observations suggest that AM281 per se has no or minimal rewarding and reinforcing properties, but alterations in neuronal functions and behavior due to repeated AM281 exposure may contribute in part to the abuse potential of this drug. In view of this finding, we advocate the careful use, monitoring, and dispensation of AM281.

Chemicals Related in the Paper:

Catalog Number	Product Name	Structure	CAS Number	Price
AP202463681	AM281		202463-68-1	Price

As a specialist in analytical chemical Products, Alfa Chemistry offers consumers a wealth of raw materials and a full range of technologies and services.

QUICK LINKS

HEADQUARTERS

Tel:

Fax:

Email: