Abstract

CP-47,497 (cis-3-[2-hydroxy-4(1,1-dimethylheptyl)phenyl]-cyclohexan-1-ol) is characterized as a cannabimimetic agent, with 3 to 28 times greater potency than delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol delta 9-THC), based on the following. In common with delta 9-THC and other active structures closely related chemically to delta 9-THC, CP-47,497 exerts analgesic, motor depressant, anticonvulsant and hypothermic effects. It elicits vocalization in palpated rats and ataxia in dogs. In drug discrimination studies in rats, the stimulus properties of delta 9-THC (3.2 mg/kg i.p.) are generalized to CP-47,497, with an absolute threshold dose 3 to 14 times lower than the threshold dose of delta 9-THC itself, depending on route. Furthermore, rats are unable to discriminate between the stimulus properties of equated i.p. doses of delta 9-THC and CP-47,497 after prolonged training. Despite its potent behavioral effects, CP-47,497, like delta 9-THC, does not resemble standard antipsychotic, antidepressant, antianxiety or hypnotic drugs in simple drug interaction tests. Based on its pharmacology, CP-47,497 exemplifies a simplified structure capable of producing many effects in common with those of delta 9-THC and 9-normethyl-9 beta-OH-hexahydrocannabinol.