Biomolecules & Therapeutics

The Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology (한국응용약물학회)
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Abuse Potential of Synthetic Cannabinoids: AM-1248, CB-13, and PB-22

  • Hur, Kwang-Hyun (Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University) ;
  • Ma, Shi-Xun (Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University) ;
  • Lee, Bo-Ram (Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University) ;
  • Ko, Yong-Hyun (Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University) ;
  • Seo, Jee-Yeon (Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University) ;
  • Ryu, Hye Won (Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy & Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Kim, Hye Jin (Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy & Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Yoon, Seolmin (Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Lee, Yong-Sup (Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy & Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Lee, Seok-Yong (Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University) ;
  • Jang, Choon-Gon (Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University)
  • Received : 2020.11.25
  • Accepted : 2021.03.22
  • Published : 2021.07.01
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Abstract

Currently, the expanding recreational use of synthetic cannabinoids (SCBs) threatens public health. SCBs produce psychoactive effects similar to those of tetrahydrocannabinol, the main component of cannabis, and additionally induce unexpected pharmacological side effects. SCBs are falsely advertised as legal and safe, but in reality, SCB abuse has been reported to cause acute intoxication and addictive disorders. However, because of the lack of scientific evidence to elucidate their dangerous pharmacological effects, SCBs are weakly regulated and continue to circulate in illegal drug markets. In the present study, the intravenous self-administration (IVSA) paradigm was used to evaluate the abuse potential of three SCBs (AM-1248, CB-13, and PB-22) in rats. All three SCBs maintained IVSA with a large number of infusions and active lever presses, demonstrating their reinforcing effects. The increase of active lever presses was particularly significant during the early IVSA sessions, indicating the reinforcement-enhancing effects of the SCBs (AM-1248 and CB-13). The number of inactive lever presses was significantly higher in the SCB groups (AM-1248 and CB-13) than that in the vehicle group, indicating their impulsive effects. In summary, these results demonstrated that SCBs have distinct pharmacological properties and abuse potential.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This research was supported by grants from the Korea Food and Drug Administration (14182MFDS979, 19182MFDS403) and the National Research Foundation of Korea (2017R1A2B2002428) funded by the Korean government.

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