AM251 is a effective CB1 receptor antagonist (IC50/Ki: 8 /7.49 nM) that displays 306-fold selectivity over CB2 receptors; also effective GPR55 agonist (EC50: 39 nM).

AM251 inhibits memory consolidation in avoidance tasks. Compared to the control group, AM251 significantly reduces latency in tested subjects, yet no difference is observed in open field adaptive tasks, including the number of crossroads. In related fear memory tests, animals pre-treated with AM251 (4.0/8.0 mg/kg) exhibit enhanced rigidity. AM251 consistently decreases daily food intake in rats, induces selective feeding, and behaviors associated with nausea, without affecting the rate of consumption.

AM251 inhibits equilibrium binding by accelerating the dissociation of the [3H]-batrachotoxinin A 20-α-benzoate: sodium channel complex through a conformational change. It increases the dissociation constant (Kd) of the radioligand by 2.3 times without affecting the maximum binding capacity (Bmax). Furthermore, AM251 reduces the release of tetrodotoxin-inhibitory L-glutamate (IC50: 8.5 μM) and GABA (IC50: 9.2 μM) from synaptosomes in a veratridine-dependent manner. It also decreases unstimulated and acetylated LDL-stimulated Raw 264.7 macrophages, along with reducing the synthesis of cholesteryl esters in both CB2+/+ and CB2-/- peritoneal macrophages.

Macrophages are seeded (2×106/well) in 12-well culture plates. AM-251 or SR144528 are added from 4 mM stock solutions prepared in DMSO, 1h prior to the addition of 7-ketocholesterol (7KC) from a 2 mg/mL ethanol stock solution. Controls are adjusted to receive equivalent volumes of DMSO and ethanol. After 16 h, caspase-3 activity is determined. All treatments are done in triplicate and the data presented as the mean RFLU/mg protein±SD[3].