Clinical data | |
---|---|
Routes of administration |
oral |
Legal status | |
Legal status |
|
Identifiers | |
|
|
CAS Number | |
PubChem CID | |
ChemSpider | |
UNII | |
Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C22H28N2O3 |
Molar mass | 368.47 g/mol |
3D model (Jmol) | |
|
|
|
|
(what is this?) |
(–)-18-Methoxycoronaridine (18-MC) is a derivative of ibogaine invented in 1996 by the research team around the pharmacologist Stanley D. Glick from the Albany Medical College and the chemist Martin E. Kuehne from the University of Vermont. In animal studies it has proved to be effective at reducing self-administration of morphine, cocaine, methamphetamine, nicotine and sucrose. 18-MC is a α3β4 nicotinic antagonist and, in contrast to ibogaine, has no affinity at the α4β2 subtype nor at NMDA-channels nor at the serotonin transporter, and has significantly reduced affinity for sodium channels and for the σ receptor, but retains modest affinity for μ-opioid receptors where it acts as an antagonist, and κ-opioid receptors. The sites of action in the brain include the medial habenula, interpeduncular nucleus,dorsolateral tegmentum and basolateral amygdala. It has also been shown to produce anorectic effects in obese rats, most likely due to the same actions on the reward system which underlie its anti-addictive effects against drug addiction.
18-MC is in the early stages of human testing by Savant HWP. In 2002 the research team started trying to raise funds for human trials, but were unable to secure the estimated $5 million needed. In January 2010, Obiter Research, a chemical manufacturer in Champaign, Illinois, signed a patent license with Albany Medical College and the University of Vermont allowing them the right to synthesize and market 18-MC and other congeners. National Institute on Drug Abuse gave a $6.5 million grant in 2012 to California-based drug developer company Savant HWP for the human trials.