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AB-MDMSBA-Not a Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonist
Monica Patel1, Dharshini Ganeshan1, Izzy Horgan1
1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Abstract:
Synthetic cannabinoids remain one of the most prominent classes of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS). The introduction of "blanket bans" has only invigorated the development and emergence of novel compounds. Recently, a putative synthetic cannabinoid, AB-MDMSBA, was identified in Australia and New Zealand, with little to no pharmacological data on this compound. This current study, therefore, aimed to determine the potential activity of AB-MDMSBA at the human cannabinoid CB1 receptor. Results revealed AB-MDMSBA failed to activate cAMP and β-arrestin 2 pathways, or to induce a conformational change in a CB1 biosensor, unlike the known synthetic agonist AMB-FUBINACA, suggesting the compound is not a synthetic cannabinoid. These findings may aid in drug classification and the identification of structurally similar compounds.
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