JWH 018 (1-
pentyl-
3-
(1-
naphthoyl)indole) is a synthetic cannabinoid (CB) that potently activates the central CB
1 and peripheral CB
2 receptors (K
i = 9.0 and 2.94 nM, respectively).
1 This cannabimimetic compound has frequently been found in herbal blends.
2,3,4 JWH 018 2’-
naphthyl-
N-
(2,2-
dimethylpropyl) isomer differs structurally from JWH 018 by having the naphthyl group attached at the 2’ position and 2,2-
dimethylpropyl in place of the pentyl chain. The biological activities of this compound have not been characterized.
1. Aung, M.M., Griffin, G., Huffman, J.W., et al. Influence of the N-1 alkyl chain length of cannabimimetic indoles upon CB1 and CB2 receptor binding Drug Alcohol Depend. 60(2),133-140(2000).
2. Auw?rter, V., Dresen, S., Weinmann, W., et al. “Spice” and other herbal blends: Harmless incense or cannabinoid designer drugs? J. Mass Spectrom. 44(5),832-837(2009).
3. Lindigkeit, R., Boehme, A., Eiserloh, I., et al. Spice: A never ending story? Forensic Sci. Int. 191(1-3),58-63(2009).
4. Uchiyama, N., Kikura-Hanajiri, R., Kawahara, N., et al. Identification of a cannabimimetic indole as a designer drug in a herbal product Forensic Toxicol. 27,61-66(2009).
