WIN 55,212-2

WIN 55,212-2 is a chemical described as an aminoalkylindole derivative, which produces effects similar to those of cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) but has an entirely different chemical structure.

WIN 55,212-2 is a potent cannabinoid receptor agonist that has been found to be a potent analgesic in a rat model of neuropathic pain. It activates p42 and p44 MAP kinase via receptor-mediated signaling.

At 5 μM WIN 55,212-2 inhibits ATP production in sperm in a CB₁ receptor-dependent fashion.

WIN 55,212-2, along with HU-210 and JWH-133, may prevent the inflammation caused by amyloid beta proteins involved in Alzheimer's disease, in addition to preventing cognitive impairment and loss of neuronal markers. This anti-inflammatory action is induced through agonist action at cannabinoid receptors, which prevents microglial activation that elicits the inflammation.

WIN 55,212-2 is a full agonist at the CB₁ cannabinoid receptor (K_i = 1.9 nM) and has much higher affinity than THC (K_i = 41 nM) for this receptor. WIN 55,212-2 is also an agonist of the PPARα and PPARγ nuclear receptors.

WIN 55,212-2 reduces voluntary wheel running in laboratory mice, but with effects that depend on both genetic background and sex.

In the United States, all CB₁ receptor agonists of the 3-(1-naphthoyl)indole class such as WIN 55,212-2 are Schedule I Controlled Substances. WIN 55,212-2 is illegal in the UK.

WIN 55,212-2 is also a CB2 receptor agonist and thereby, like other cannabinoid CB2 agonists, found to significantly improve cardiac recovery after ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) in the hearts of diabetic fatty rats, by restoring coronary perfusion pressure and heart rate to pre-ischaemic levels, by the restoration of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) cardiac equilibrium.