HU-444, A Novel, Potent Anti-Inflammatory, Non-Psychotropic Cannabinoid.

“Cannabidiol (CBD) is a component of cannabis, which does not cause the typical marijuana-type effects, but has a high potential for use in several therapeutic areas.

In contrast to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) it binds very weakly to the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors. It has potent activity in both in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory assays. Thus, it lowers the formation of TNF-α, a proinflammatory cytokine, and was found to be an oral anti-arthritic therapeutic in murine collagen-induced arthritis in vivo.

However in acidic media it can cyclize to the psychoactive Δ9-THC. We report the synthesis of a novel CBD derivative, HU-444, which cannot be converted by acid cyclization into a Δ9-THC-like compound.

In vitro HU-444 had anti-inflammatory activity (decrease of reactive oxygen intermediates and inhibition of TNF-a production by macrophages); in vivo it led to suppression of production of TNF-α and amelioration of liver damage as well as lowering of mouse collagen-induced arthritis. HU-444 did not cause Δ9-THC- like effects in mice.

We believe that HU-444 represents a potential novel drug for rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26272937

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