642
J. LoVerme et al. / Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 19 (2009) 639–643
failed to inhibit WIN55,212-2 induced hypothermia or catalepsy.
The ability of URB447 to reduce food intake suggests that this
CNS-impermeant antagonist produces anorexia by blocking CB1
receptors in peripheral organs such as the gastrointestinal tract,
in which endocannabinoids may act as local orexigenic hor-
mones.7,9 We cannot exclude the possibility, however, that CB2
receptor activation might contribute to the effects of URB447. In-
deed, the CB2 agonist JWH133 was shown to improve glucose tol-
erance after a glucose load26 and ameliorate liver disease27
,
suggesting a possible role of CB2 in metabolic regulation. Irrespec-
tive of these speculations, our findings are clinically relevant be-
cause rimonabant and other brain-permeant CB1 antagonist exert
serious psychiatric side effects, which limit their clinical usefulness
in anti-obesity therapy.
Acknowledgments
The Italian Ministry of Instruction, University and Research,
Universities of Urbino ‘‘Carlo Bo” and Parma, and the Center of
Drug Discovery at the University of California, Irvine supported this
work. The authors thank Fariba Oveisi for technical assistance.
Supplementary data
Supplementary data associated with this article can be found, in
References and notes
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Figure 3. Effects of vehicle, URB447 (URB, 20 mg-kgÀ1, i.p.) or rimonabant (RIM,
20 mg-kgÀ1, i.p.) administered daily for 2 weeks on (A) food intake or (B) body
weight (expressed as % change from day 0) in ob/ob mice (n = 8). Results were
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was unaffected by URB447, but was reversed by pretreatment with
rimonabant (Fig. 2C). These findings indicate that URB447 selec-
tively prevents peripherally mediated CB responses in mice.
To test whether URB447 inhibits body-weight gain, we treated
genetically obese ob/ob mice once daily with URB447, rimonabant
(each at 20 mg-kgÀ1, i.p.) or vehicle for 2 weeks. In keeping with
our previous results (Fig. 1), we found that URB447 produced a sig-
nificant reduction in the amount of food consumed throughout the
treatment period (Fig. 3A). This effect was accompanied by a signif-
icant attenuation of body-weight gain (Fig. 3B) and was similar in
magnitude to that of rimonabant (Fig. 3A and 3B).
Contrary to the present findings, URB447 would be expected to
cross the blood–brain barrier by passive diffusion,22 considering
that its molecular weight (MW = 401), lipophilicity (estimated
LogP = 6.39) and polar surface area (PSA = 48.02) are too similar
to those of rimonabant (MW = 464, LogP = 6.01, PSA = 50.1).23 The
unexpected lack of CNS penetration for URB447 may then be due
to high clearance by efflux transporters (e.g., P-gp, MRP1-6 or
BCRP)24 or by rapid metabolism by P450 cyrochromes in the
astrocytes.25
16. To a solution of 7 (0.261 g, 0.5 mmol) in DMF (2.5 mL), 10% HCl (1.3 mL) was
added slowly (exothermic reaction) at room temperature. After stirring at
room temperature for 6 h, the mixture was poured onto 2 N Na2CO3 and
extracted (CH2Cl2). The organic layer was dried (Na2SO4) and concentrated.
Purification of the residue by column chromatography (cyclohexane EtOAc
8:2) and recrystallization gave URB447 as a yellow solid. Yield 66% (0.132 g).
Mp 128–130 °C (EtOAc-petroleum ether). MS (EI): m/z 400 (M+), 275 (100). 1H
NMR (CDCl3): d 1.82 (s, 3H); 4.29 (br s, 2H); 4.97 (s, 2H); 6.84 (d, 2H); 7.24–
7.51 (m, 10H); 7.68 (m, 2H) ppm. IR (nujol): 3444, 3359, 1605, 1595 cmÀ1
.
In conclusion, in the present study we have identified URB447
as the first peripherally restricted mixed CB1 antagonist/CB2
agonist.
We have shown that URB447 reduces food intake and body-
weight gain in mice with an efficacy comparable to that of the
standard of reference rimonabant. Furthermore, URB447 reversed
the analgesic effect of (R)-methanandamide without entering the
brain or antagonizing CB1 receptors in the CNS. Indeed, URB447
Anal. calcd for C25H21ClN2O (400.90): C, 73.84; H, 5.48; N, 6.62. Found: C,
74.03; H, 5.21; N, 6.90.
17. Sprio, V.; Petruso, S. Ann. Chim. 1973, 63, 245.
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C.; Le Fur, G. FEBS Lett. 1994, 350, 240.
20. Govaerts, S. J.; Hermans, E.; Lambert, D. M. Eur. J. Pharm. Sci. 2004, 23, 233.
21. Calignano, A.; La Rana, G.; Giuffrida, A.; Piomelli, D. Nature 1998, 394, 277.