methoprene and sanguinarine

Benzophenanthridine alkaloids (chelerythrine and sanguinarine) inhibited binding of [(3)H]SR141716A to mouse brain membranes (IC50s: <1µM). Piperonyl butoxide and (S)-methoprene were less potent (IC50s: 21 and 63µM respectively). Benzophenanthridines and piperonyl butoxide were more selective towards brain CB1 receptors versus spleen CB2 receptors. All compounds reduced Bmax of [(3)H]SR141716A binding to CB1 receptors, but only methoprene and piperonyl butoxide increased Kd (3-5-fold). Benzophenanthridines increased the Kd of [(3)H]CP55940 binding (6-fold), but did not alter Bmax. (S)-methoprene increased the Kd of [(3)H]CP55940 binding (by almost 4-fold) and reduced Bmax by 60%. Piperonyl butoxide lowered the Bmax of [(3)H]CP55940 binding by 50%, but did not influence Kd. All compounds reduced [(3)H]SR141716A and [(3)H]CP55940 association with CB1 receptors. Combined with a saturating concentration of SR141716A, only piperonyl butoxide and (S)-methoprene increased dissociation of [(3)H]SR141716A above that of SR141716A alone. Only piperonyl butoxide increased dissociation of [(3)H]CP55940 to a level greater than CP55940 alone. Binding results indicate predominantly allosteric components to the study compounds action. 4-Aminopyridine-(4-AP-) evoked release of l-glutamate from synaptosomes was partially inhibited by WIN55212-2, an effect completely neutralized by AM251, (S)-methoprene and piperonyl butoxide. With WIN55212-2 present, benzophenanthridines enhanced 4-AP-evoked l-glutamate release above 4-AP alone. Modulatory patterns of l-glutamate release (with WIN-55212-2 present) align with previous antagonist/inverse agonist profiling based on [(35)S]GTPγS binding. Although these compounds exhibit lower potencies compared to many classical CB1 receptor inhibitors, they may have potential to modify CB1-receptor-dependent behavioral/physiological outcomes in the whole animal.

Topics: Animals; Benzophenanthridines; Benzoxazines; Binding Sites; Brain; Cyclohexanols; Glutamic Acid; Isoquinolines; Male; Methoprene; Mice; Morpholines; Naphthalenes; Piperidines; Piperonyl Butoxide; Pyrazoles; Radioligand Assay; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2; Rimonabant; Spleen; Synaptosomes

This investigation focused primarily on the interaction of two benzophenanthridine alkaloids (chelerythrine and sanguinarine), piperonyl butoxide and (S)-methoprene with G-protein-coupled cannabinoid CB(1) receptors of mouse brain in vitro. Chelerythrine and sanguinarine inhibited the binding of the CB(1) receptor agonist [(3)H]CP-55940 to mouse whole brain membranes at low micromolar concentrations (IC(50)s: chelerythrine 2.20 μM; sanguinarine 1.10 μM). The structurally related isoquinoline alkaloids (berberine and papaverine) and the phthalide isoquinoline ((-)-β-hydrastine) were either inactive or considerably below IC(50) at 30 μM. Chelerythrine and sanguinarine antagonized CP-55940-stimulated binding of [(35)S] GTPγS to the G-protein (IC(50)s: chelerythrine 2.09 μM; sanguinarine 1.22 μM). In contrast to AM251, both compounds strongly inhibited basal binding of [(35)S]GTPγS (IC(50)s: chelerythrine 10.06 μM; sanguinarine 5.19μM). Piperonyl butoxide and S-methoprene inhibited the binding of [(3)H]CP-55940 (IC(50)s: piperonyl butoxide 8.2 μM; methoprene 16.4 μM), and also inhibited agonist-stimulated (but not basal) binding of [(35)S]GTPγS to brain membranes (IC(50)s: piperonyl butoxide 22.5 μM; (S)-methoprene 19.31 μM). PMSF did not modify the inhibitory effect of (S)-methoprene on [(3)H]CP-55940 binding. Our data suggest that chelerythrine and sanguinarine are efficacious antagonists of G-protein-coupled CB(1) receptors. They exhibit lower potencies compared to many conventional CB(1) receptor blockers but act differently to AM251. Reverse modulation of CB(1) receptor agonist binding resulting from benzophenanthridines engaging with the G-protein component may explain this difference. Piperonyl butoxide and (S)-methoprene are efficacious, low potency, neutral antagonists of CB(1) receptors. Certain of the study compounds may represent useful starting structures for development of novel/more potent G-protein-coupled CB(1) receptor blocking drugs.

Topics: Alkaloids; Animals; Benzophenanthridines; Brain; Drug Interactions; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Isoquinolines; Male; Methoprene; Mice; Piperidines; Piperonyl Butoxide; Protein Binding; Pyrazoles; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1