The role of (E)-6-chloro-3-(3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-2-styrylquinazolin-4(3H)-one in the modulation of cannabinoidergic system. A pilot study

Background: Compounds acting on endocannabinoid system regulate different neuronal processes through the cannabinoid receptors activation. The main aim of this study was determining whether the 2-styrylquinazolin-4(3H)-one 5, a structural analogue of rimonabant, was able to counteract the behavioural signs of the activation of the endocannabinoidergic system induced by CP 55.940. Methods: Behavioural assessment was carried out using the tetrad task and the novel object recognition test. The endocannabinoidergic system activation was possible by the administration of CP 55.940 and 30 min after rats were tested in the tetrad task for the evaluation of the antinociceptive-, cataleptic-, hypothermic- and locomotor- effects. The evaluation of the declarative memory was carried out through the novel object recognition test. The administration of the new compound was made at three different doses, 30 min before CP 55.940 administration on a separate group of animals. Results: Our results demonstrated that compound 5, at the highest dose, was able to counteract the effects exerted by CP 55.940, shown by an increase in body temperature, total distance travelled, latency to fall and decrease in tail flick latency, interfering conjointly in memory impairment. Conclusion: This study shows that compound 5 is able to counteract the cannabinoid activation induced by the agonist CP 55.940. Further investigations on its pharmacological profile are mandatory before considering it as a potential candidate for clinical studies and its possible employment as pharmacological agent for the management of different pathological conditions such as motor incoordination, obesity and brain related disorders.