Talk:UR-144

UR-144 is a novel synthetic cannabinoid compound. Members of this group produce cannabis-like effects when administered. UR-144 was originally invented by Abbott Laboratories in 2008.

Cannabinoids are commonly smoked or vaporized to achieve a quick onset of effects and rapid offset. UR-144 is orally active when dissolved in a lipid, which can increase the duration significantly. Like other cannabinoids, it is insoluble in water but dissolves in ethanol and lipids.

Unlike cannabis, the chronic abuse of synthetic cannabinoids has been associated with multiple deaths and more dangerous side effects and higher toxicity. It is strongly discouraged to take this substance for extended periods of time or in high doses.

Chemistry

UR-144, or (1-pentyl-1H-indol-3-yl)(2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropyl), is a synthetic cannabinoid in the methanone class. Chemically it is closely related to other 2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropyl synthetic cannabinoids like A-796,260 and A-834,735 but with a different substitution on the 1-position of the indole core, in these compounds its 1-pentyl group is replaced with alkylheterocycles like 1-(2-morpholinoethyl) and 1-(tetrahydropyran-4-ylmethyl). Other names include (1-pentylindol-3-yl)(2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropyl)methanone (1-pentyl-1H-indol-3-yl)(2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropyl)methanone TMCP-018, KM-X1, MN-001, YX-17.

Pharmacology

UR-144 has high affinity for the CB2 receptor with a Ki of 1.8 nM but 83x lower affinity for the CB1 receptor with a Ki of 150 nM. UR-144 was found to possess an EC50 of 421 nM for human CB1 receptors, and 72 nM for human CB2 receptors. UR-144 produces bradycardia and hypothermia in rats at a dose of 10 mg/kg, suggesting weak cannabinoid-like activity. The role of these interactions and how they result in the differences in cannabinoid high experience continues to remain elusive.