Synthesis and ?-opioid receptor activity of furan-substituted salvinorin A analogues.

ABSTRACT: The neoclerodane diterpene salvinorin A, found in the leaves of Salvia divinorum, is a potent ?-opioid receptor agonist, making it an attractive scaffold for development into a treatment for substance abuse. Although several successful semisynthetic studies have been performed to elucidate structure-activity relationships, the lack of analogues with substitutions to the furan ring of salvinorin A has prevented a thorough understanding of its role in binding to the ?-opioid receptor. Herein we report the synthesis of several salvinorin A derivatives with modified furan rings. Evaluation of these compounds in a functional assay indicated that sterically less demanding substitutions are preferred, suggesting the furan ring is bound in a congested portion of the binding pocket. The most potent of the analogues successfully reduced drug-seeking behavior in an animal model of drug-relapse without producing the sedation observed with other ?-opioid agonists.

SUBMITTER: Riley AP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4281103 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature