JWH-015 is a chemical from the naphthoylindole family that acts as a subtype-selective cannabinoidagonist. Its affinity for CB2 receptors is 13.8 nM, while its affinity for CB1 is 383 nM, meaning that it binds almost 28 times more strongly to CB2 than to CB1.[1] However, it still displays some CB1 activity, and in some model systems can be very potent and efficacious at activating CB1 receptors,[2] and therefore it is not as selective as newer drugs such as JWH-133.[3] It has been shown to possess immunomodulatory effects,[4][5] and CB2 agonists may be useful in the treatment of pain and inflammation.[6][7] It was discovered and named after John W. Huffman.
^Aung MM, Griffin G, Huffman JW, Wu M, Keel C, Yang B, et al. (August 2000). "Influence of the N-1 alkyl chain length of cannabimimetic indoles upon CB1 and CB2)receptor binding". Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 60 (2): 133–140. doi:10.1016/S0376-8716(99)00152-0. PMID10940540.
^Marriott KS, Huffman JW (2008). "Recent advances in the development of selective ligands for the cannabinoid CB(2) receptor". Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry. 8 (3): 187–204. doi:10.2174/156802608783498014. PMID18289088.
^Ghosh S, Preet A, Groopman JE, Ganju RK (July 2006). "Cannabinoid receptor CB2 modulates the CXCL12/CXCR4-mediated chemotaxis of T lymphocytes". Molecular Immunology. 43 (14): 2169–2179. doi:10.1016/j.molimm.2006.01.005. PMID16503355.
^Montecucco F, Burger F, Mach F, Steffens S (March 2008). "CB2 cannabinoid receptor agonist JWH-015 modulates human monocyte migration through defined intracellular signaling pathways". American Journal of Physiology. Heart and Circulatory Physiology. 294 (3): H1145–H1155. doi:10.1152/ajpheart.01328.2007. PMID18178718. S2CID5896815.
^Balter MB, Uhlenhuth EH (1992). "Prescribing and use of benzodiazepines: an epidemiologic perspective". Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. 24 (1): 63–64. doi:10.1080/02791072.1992.10471620. PMID1352348.