Attempts of Ranking in a Series of Synthetic Nonpsychotropic Cannabinoids

Abstract

Dexanabinol and other synthetic 6aS-trans cannabinoids are devoid of cannabimimetic activity, as they do not have affinity toward cannabinoid receptors. On the other hand, these compound bind to the NMDA receptor and possess neuroprotective properties. A ranking of 6aS trans cannabinoids based on their NMDA receptor binding affinity and by using a variety of calculated properties included in a fully computerized expert system has been attempted. The results of the study indicate that either the present isosteric-isoelectronic-based ranking criteria is not adequate to reproduce NMDA receptor binding or that some other members of the series rather than dexanabinol are the true lead compounds of 6aS-trans cannabinoids.