Development and Pharmacological Characterization of Selective Blockers of 2-Arachidonoyl Glycerol Degradation with Efficacy in Rodent Models of Multiple Sclerosis and Pain

J Med Chem. 2016 Mar 24;59(6):2612-32. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b01812. Epub 2016 Mar 7.

Abstract

We report the discovery of compound 4a, a potent β-lactam-based monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL) inhibitor characterized by an irreversible and stereoselective mechanism of action, high membrane permeability, high brain penetration evaluated using a human in vitro blood-brain barrier model, high selectivity in binding and affinity-based proteomic profiling assays, and low in vitro toxicity. Mode-of-action studies demonstrate that 4a, by blocking MGL, increases 2-arachidonoylglycerol and behaves as a cannabinoid (CB1/CB2) receptor indirect agonist. Administration of 4a in mice suffering from experimental autoimmune encephalitis ameliorates the severity of the clinical symptoms in a CB1/CB2-dependent manner. Moreover, 4a produced analgesic effects in a rodent model of acute inflammatory pain, which was antagonized by CB1 and CB2 receptor antagonists/inverse agonists. 4a also relieves the neuropathic hypersensitivity induced by oxaliplatin. Given these evidence, 4a, as MGL selective inhibitor, could represent a valuable lead for the future development of therapeutic options for multiple sclerosis and chronic pain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arachidonic Acids / metabolism*
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / metabolism
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Drug Design
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / drug therapy
  • Endocannabinoids / metabolism*
  • Glycerides / metabolism*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Models, Molecular
  • Monoacylglycerol Lipases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy*
  • Mutagenicity Tests
  • Neuralgia / chemically induced
  • Neuralgia / drug therapy
  • Organoplatinum Compounds
  • Oxaliplatin
  • Pain / drug therapy*
  • Permeability
  • Proteomics
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / agonists
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / agonists
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Arachidonic Acids
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Glycerides
  • Organoplatinum Compounds
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2
  • Oxaliplatin
  • glyceryl 2-arachidonate
  • Monoacylglycerol Lipases