Preliminary pharmacological evaluation of enantiomeric morphinans

ACS Chem Neurosci. 2014 Feb 19;5(2):93-9. doi: 10.1021/cn400205z. Epub 2014 Jan 8.

Abstract

A series of levo- and dextromorphinan pairs have been synthesized and evaluated for their affinities to the mu, kappa, and delta opioid receptors, the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) channel, and sigma 1 and 2 receptors. It was found that levo isomers tended to have higher affinities at the opioid receptors and moderate to high affinities to the NMDA and sigma receptors, while dextro isomers tended to have lower affinities to the opioid receptors but comparatively higher affinities to the NMDA and sigma receptors. This series of compounds have interesting and complex pharmacological profiles, and merit further investigation as potential therapies for drug abuse treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Morphinans / chemical synthesis
  • Morphinans / pharmacology*
  • N-Methylaspartate / drug effects*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptors, Opioid / drug effects*
  • Receptors, sigma / drug effects*

Substances

  • Morphinans
  • Receptors, Opioid
  • Receptors, sigma
  • N-Methylaspartate