Synthetic bioactive olivetol-related amides: the influence of the phenolic group in cannabinoid receptor activity

Focusing on the importance of the free phenolic hydroxyl moiety, a family of 23 alkylresorcinol-based compounds were developed and evaluated for their cannabinoid receptor binding properties. The non-symmetrical hexylresorcinol derivative 29 turned out to be a CB2-selective competitive antagonist/inverse agonist endowed with good potency. Both the olivetol- and 5-(1,1’-dimethylepthyl)resorcinol-based derivatives 23 and 24 exhibited a significant antinociceptive activity. Interestingly, compound 24 proved to be able to activate both cannabinoid and TRPV1 receptors. Even if cannabinoid receptor sub-type selectivity remained a goal only partially achieved, results confirm the validity of the alkylresorcinol nucleus as skeleton for the identification of potent cannabinoid receptor modulators.