Latest advances in cannabinoid receptor antagonists and inverse agonists

Abstract

This review covers the progress made in the field of CB₁ and CB₂ cannabinoid receptor antagonists and inverse agonists since 2004. The high therapeutic potential of these compounds is reflected by the great number of patents filed during the last 3 years. Although the vast majority of the patents are related to CB₁ due to the known therapeutic potential of CB₁ antagonists, several compounds acting at CB₂ have also been disclosed. Obesity, metabolic syndrome and smoking cessation are CB₁ antagonists indications supported by the recent clinical trials results.

Keywords::

• cannabinoid
• CB₁ antagonists
• CB₁ inverse agonist
• CB₂ antagonists
• inverse agonists
• JTE-907
• SR141716
• SR147778
• SLV319
• Sch225336