Discovery of a novel class of selective human CB1 inverse agonists

Ligand-based virtual screening led to the discovery of a new class of potent inverse agonists of the human cannabinoid receptor 1, hCB1, which are selective versus hCB2. These CB1 ligands present intriguing departures from a classical CB1 antagonist pharmacophore. Elements of SAR are discussed in this context.

Graphical abstracthCB1 antagonist pharmacophore → virtual screening → binding assay → functional assay → new class of potent hCB1 inverse agonists.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide