AB-MDMSBA-Not a Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonist.

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.