JWH-098
Encyclopedia
JWH-098 is a synthetic cannabinoid receptor
agonist
from the naphthoylindole family. It is the indole
2-methyl derivative of a closely related compound JWH-081
, but has markedly different affinity for the CB1 and CB2 receptors. While JWH-081 is around 10x selective for CB1 over CB2, in JWH-098 this is reversed, and it is around 4 times weaker than JWH-081 at CB1 while being six times more potent at CB2, giving it a slight selectivity for CB2 overall. This makes JWH-098 a good example of how methylation of the indole 2-position in the naphthoylindole series tends to increase CB2 affinity, but often at the expense of CB1 binding. JWH-098 is illegal in Russia, Sweden, and the UK, although it is unclear whether it has any history of human use.
Cannabinoid receptor
The cannabinoid receptors are a class of cell membrane receptors under the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily. As is typical of G protein-coupled receptors, the cannabinoid receptors contain seven transmembrane spanning domains...
agonist
Agonist
An agonist is a chemical that binds to a receptor of a cell and triggers a response by that cell. Agonists often mimic the action of a naturally occurring substance...
from the naphthoylindole family. It is the indole
Indole
Indole is an aromatic heterocyclic organic compound. It has a bicyclic structure, consisting of a six-membered benzene ring fused to a five-membered nitrogen-containing pyrrole ring. Indole is a popular component of fragrances and the precursor to many pharmaceuticals. Compounds that contain an...
2-methyl derivative of a closely related compound JWH-081
JWH-081
JWH-081 is an analgesic chemical from the naphthoylindole family, which acts as a cannabinoid agonist at both the CB1 and CB2 receptors. With a Ki of 1.2nM it is fairly selective for the CB1 subtype, its affinity at this subtype approximately 10x the affinity at CB2. It was discovered by and named...
, but has markedly different affinity for the CB1 and CB2 receptors. While JWH-081 is around 10x selective for CB1 over CB2, in JWH-098 this is reversed, and it is around 4 times weaker than JWH-081 at CB1 while being six times more potent at CB2, giving it a slight selectivity for CB2 overall. This makes JWH-098 a good example of how methylation of the indole 2-position in the naphthoylindole series tends to increase CB2 affinity, but often at the expense of CB1 binding. JWH-098 is illegal in Russia, Sweden, and the UK, although it is unclear whether it has any history of human use.