Benzo[d]imidazole-Naphthalen-Arylmethanone Regioisomers as CB1 Ligands: Evaluation of Agonism via an Indirect Cytotoxicity-Based Approach.

CB1 agonist compounds may be potential drug candidates for the treatment of gliomas, as they have been shown to inhibit tumor cell proliferation, induce apoptosis, and reduce angiogenesis in various preclinical models. Their ability to modulate the endocannabinoid system suggests a promising therapeutic approach for targeting glioma growth and progression. Herein, we report the design, synthesis, biological studies, and bioinformatics assays of novel benzo[d]imidazole-naphthalen-arylmethanone regioisomers with affinity for the CB1 receptor, as well as propose an indirect methodology to evaluate their presumed CB1 agonist activity. Compounds that showed a propensity for binding to the CB1 receptor were regioisomers 4d, 5b, 5e, 5f, and 5f'. Likewise, derivatives that displaced more than 50% of the radioligand [3H]CP-55940 at the CB1 receptor were subjected to in vitro viability experiments. Compounds 4d, 5b, 5e, and 5f' showed toxicity against U87MG cells (malignant glioma) in a considerable percentage. Notably, compound 5f' showed CB1 affinity, with a Ki of 2.12 µM, and was selectively toxic to U87MG cells, which highly express the CB1 receptor, while exhibiting no toxicity toward the healthy HEK293 cell line, which expresses both cannabinoid receptors at negligible levels. Docking studies at the CB1 orthosteric site indicate that 5f' forms π-π interactions, a T-shaped interaction, and hydrogen bonding through the oxygen atom of the furan ring. Biologically, our experimental indirect model-based on a simple viability assay is supported by well-established evidence that activation of CB1 and CB2 receptors by agonists induces cell death and inhibits tumor cell growth. Structurally, we conclude that the presence of a furan ring at the 2-position of the benzo[d]imidazole core is beneficial for the development of new ligands with potential CB1 agonist activity.