Open AccessEfficacy of Rimonabant and Other Cannabinoid CB 1 Receptor Antagonists in Reducing Food Intake and Body Weight: Preclinical and Clinical Data
Author(s) -
Carai Mauro A. M.,
Colombo Giancarlo,
Maccioni Paola,
Gessa Gian Luigi
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
cns drug reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1527-3458
pISSN - 1080-563X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1527-3458.2006.00091.x
Subject(s) - rimonabant , cannabinoid , cannabinoid receptor , overweight , medicine , body weight , pharmacology , cannabinoid receptor antagonist , weight loss , obesity , receptor , endocrinology , antagonist
The present paper focuses on the different lines of evidence indicating that cannabinoid CB 1 receptor antagonists, including the prototype rimonabant, reduce food intake and body weight in laboratory animals. Recent clinical surveys demonstrated that rimonabant significantly reduced body weight also in overweight/obese humans. Treatment with rimonabant was associated with a beneficial effect on different metabolic parameters and cardiovascular risk factors linked to overweight. The data reviewed in this paper suggest that cannabinoid CB 1 receptor antagonists may constitute a novel class of drugs potentially effective in the treatment of obesity‐related disorders.