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PURPOSE: To study the ocular hypotensive effect of a nonpsychotropic cannabinoid, HU-211 (11-hydroxy-δ8-tetra-hydrocannabinol, dimethylheptyl), an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) agonist, in normotensive rabbits. METHODS: The cannabinoid HU-211, being lipophilic, was incorporated into a stable oil-in-water submicron sterile emulsion, consisting of 0.12% (w/w) HU-211. A single-dose, randomized and double-masked study was designed, using a Digilab 30R pneumotonometer to measure intraocular pressure (IOP) in normotensive rabbits. RESULTS: Application of a single dose of HU-211 ophthalmic preparation resulted in an IOP reduction of 5.3 mmHg (24% of baseline), first evident at 1.5 hours post-application and persisting for over six hours. A small but significant lowering of pressure (12.5% of baseline) occurred in the contralateral eyes of HU-211 treated rabbits, lasting for four hours post-treatment. CONCLUSION: This work demonstrated that HU-211, incorporated into submicron emulsion, caused a six-hour-long reduction in IOP in the treated eye, with a lesser reduction in the contralateral untreated eye.
Dr. N. Naveh, Glaucoma and Pharmacology Laboratory, Goldschleger Eye Research Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, 52621, Israel
11.14 Investigational drugs; pharmacological experiments (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)