Cannabinoid Ethers: Identification, Binding interactions, and their ADME properties

Abstract

New cannabinoid analogs are constantly being synthesized and marketed to the public as ways to increase psychotropic activity or to remain competitive within the market. The issue with new analogs is the lack of proper testing and characterization—companies are misrepresenting what they sell, and customers are consuming unknown research compounds. Our group performed in-silico docking in CB1 and CB2 receptors, drug metabolism, and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) studies of methyl-, ethyl-, and pivaloy- ether cannabinoids analogs. A dataset of eight cannabinoid ethers was docked to the model to further analyze key interacting residues on the CB1 and CB2 receptors. In addition, the methyl ether derivatives of D8 tetrahydrocannabinol and hexahydrocannabinol were synthesized and the full NMR characterization of these compounds was achieved.