Several recent studies in animals have used compounds that affect the endocannabinoid system and offer promising leads for future therapeutic agents. First, the benzoflavone moiety from methanol extracts of passiflora incarnate Linneaus reversed the effects of THC in mice [88]. Second, nicotinic alpha7 receptor antagonists such as methyllycaconitine (MLA) antagonized the discriminative effects of cannabinoids at doses that did not produce depressant or toxic effects [89]. Finally, inhibitors of endocannabinoid- metabolizing enzymes reduced rimonabant-induced precipitated withdrawal responses in THC- dependent mice [90]. These results suggest several potential therapeutic agents that warrant further study.
