Novel 1-(1-Arylimiazolin-2-Yl)-3-Arylalkilurea Derivatives with Modulatory Activity on Opioid MOP Receptors

mu-opioid receptor ligands such as morphine and fentanyl are the most known and potent painkillers. However, the severe side effects seen with their use significantly limit their widespread use. The continuous broadening of knowledge about the properties of the interactions of the MOP receptor (human mu opioid receptor, OP3) with ligands and specific intracellular signaling pathways allows for the designation of new directions of research with respect to compounds with analgesic effects in a mechanism different from classical ligands. Allosteric modulation is an extremely promising line of research. Compounds with modulator properties may provide a safer alternative to the currently used opioids. The aim of our research was to obtain a series of urea derivatives of 1-aryl-2-aminoimidazoline and to determine their activity, mechanism of biological action and selectivity toward the MOP receptor. The obtained compounds were subjected to functional tests (cAMP accumulation and beta-arrestin recruitment) in vitro. One of the obtained compounds, when administered alone, did not show any biological activity, while when co-administered with DAMGO, it inhibited beta-arrestin recruitment. These results indicate that this compound is a negative allosteric modulator (NAM) of the human MOP receptor.