Development of Quinoline-2,4(1H,3H)-diones as Potent and Selective Ligands of the Cannabinoid Type 2 Receptor

J Med Chem. 2015 Aug 13;58(15):5751-69. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b00227. Epub 2015 Jul 23.

Abstract

The cannabinoid type 2 receptors (CB2Rs) play crucial roles in inflammatory diseases. There has been considerable interest in developing potent and selective ligands for CB2R. In this study, quinoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione analogs have been designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their potencies and binding properties toward the cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R) and CB2R. C5- or C8-substituted quinoline-2,4(1H,3H)-diones demonstrate CB2R agonist activity, while the C6- or C7-substituted analogs are antagonists of CB2R. In addition, oral administration of 21 dose-dependently alleviates the clinical symptoms of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis and protects the central nervous system from immune damage. Furthermore, the interaction modes predicted by docking simulations and the 3D-QSAR model generated with CoMFA may offer guidance for further design and modification of CB2R modulators.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CHO Cells
  • Cricetinae
  • Cricetulus
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Ligands
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy
  • Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Quinolines / chemistry*
  • Quinolines / pharmacology*
  • Quinolines / therapeutic use
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / drug effects*

Substances

  • Ligands
  • Quinolines
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2